Who are the pallbearers at the Queen's funeral?

THE QUEEN'S state funeral is taking place on Monday, September 19 at Westminster Abbey at 11am BST.

But who will be the pallbearers at the Queen's funeral?

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Who are the pallbearers at the Queen's funeral?

A young soldier from Fiji was selected as one of the Queen's pallbearers in the Edinburgh ceremony.

Ben Tubuna was seen helping carry the coffin outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse as it entered St Giles' Cathedral.

Tubuna, from the Rewa province, lives in Inverness and is part of the Royal Regiment in Edinburgh.

The 21-year-old, acknowledged the privilege he had been given to be a part of the momentous occasion, he told the Fiji Times: "I felt blessed that being a Fijian, I was given such an important task.

"But I accepted it with humility because this is my job - it is a role I have to fulfil as a soldier."

The soldier's proud father, Semi Tubuna, told FBC News: "'I was so happy and excited to find out that he was chosen to be a pallbearer. I'm touched that he is not only doing his family proud but his country.

"What's amazing about this is the fact there are thousands of soldiers and he is one of a handful to be selected."

The selection of Tubuna sparked national Fijian pride, with native MP Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa saying: "You've done us at home proud. 

"Fiji may not be fully observing protocol of Her Late Majesty's passing but I am glad to see a Fijian participating closely as pallbearer.

"The young Fijian lad may have not been fully aware of how Fiji cherished the late monarch but scenes of him performing gave closure to many Fijians watching back home."

One mourner added her sense of pride when she saw a Fijian carrying the coffin of "the most important person in this world". 

She wrote: "As we mourn the passing of our beloved Queen in the UK, I feel so happy and proud to see a Fijian carrying the coffin . Not only he is a Fijian but I'm a proud Rewan lady.

"From a small island around the world you see he is carrying the most important person in this world.

"May her soul Rest in Peace. Condolences from Northamptonshire." She added.

The remaining seven pallbearers have been selected from the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF).

What is a pallbearer?

A pallbearer is someone who is selected by a close family member of the deceased to help carry the casket to the burial site at a funeral.

Before the funeral service or mass, pallbearers gather around the casket and slowly carry it down the aisle to the front of the church or place of worship.

After the service or mass, pallbearers carry the casket out of the church or place of worship and to the hearse.

Pallbearers place the casket on a special piece of equipment that lifts it to the back of the hearse.

Why do pallbearers wear white gloves?

Pallbearers may wear white gloves in order to prevent damaging the casket and to show respect to the deceased person.

Full details of the funeral have not yet been released but crowds are expected to gather along The Mall and will be able to watch a live broadcast of the service.

Large screens are said to be planned for the royal parks so people can watch the funeral from a distance.

The funeral is being held at Westminster Abbey, the iconic church in which Britain's kings and queens are crowned.

It is the site where Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953 and where she married Prince Philip 75 years ago.