Queen Victoria's Funeral (1901)

[BoldHighlander]

I found an interesting 14 minute film on British Pathe of Queen Victoria's funeral, unfortunately I'm unable to post it here, so you will have to click this link to view it.

The parts that will interest the rabble are of kilted officers appearing briefly @ 01:02:00 and again briefly (with pipers) @ 08:05:44.

I'm unable to determine which regiment these men belong to, and I noted the film negative was turned around as parts of the uniform (cap badges, shoulder brooches, medals, etc) are on the wrong side of their uniform (as are the sabres carried by mounted officers, etc).

Here is a description from the site of what is seen in the film:

Queen Victoria's Funeral.

Various locations of events.

Procession of horse guards moving along street in Cowes, Isle of Wight, watched by guards and spectators. Officers on foot followed by guards with muffled drums and military band. Scottish officers. Queen Victoria's coffin is on gun carriage pulled by horses. More officers and guards follow on foot, plus male and female officials. More horseguards.

Royal Yacht at sea between Isle of Wight and mainland. Warships at anchor fire salute.

Several shots of funeral procession moving through the streets of London. King Edward VII and Kaiser Wilhelm amongst those following the gun carriage.

Arrival at Windsor and procession to Windsor Castle, long line of foreign royalty as well as English mourners following the gun carriage which is pulled by seamen.

Arrival at St. George's chapel where the coffin is lifted from the gun carriage and carried up steps into chapel followed by the many mourners. *Different angle shot of the arrival of the coffin and its transfer into the Chapel.*

(* this last portion of the film appears to be from the correct angle as we see the sabres etc, carried correctly).

[JSFMACLJR]

I don't think those are Highland officers; rather, I believe they are some of Her Late Majesty's Scottish servants.

[BoldHighlander]

Could be Sandy....just going by the description provided by British Pathe

[JSFMACLJR]

Clearly they are not officers. They are wearing black doublets, and neckties; Glengarry bonnets and civilian sporrans. Queen Victoria always had Highland servants and pages so attired.

[piperdbh]

As a music educator, I'm intrigued by the instruments carried by the band, and the way some of them are carried. It appears that some of these musicians hadn't marched in quite a while. I wish there had been sound recording available then. It would be really interesting to hear what march they're playing.

[BoldHighlander]

Clearly they are not officers. They are wearing black doublets, and neckties; Glengarry bonnets and civilian sporrans. Queen Victoria always had Highland servants and pages so attired.

Thanks for the observations....in truth I didn't pay as close attention to the details of dress (other than noticing placement of badges/medals being "flipped") & will have to go back and watch it.

[BoldHighlander]

I wish there had been sound recording available then. It would be really interesting to hear what march they're playing.

Indeed, I agree

[OC Richard]

Wow, how eerie and amazing to watch that. Thanks so much for posting!

Impressive that the Navy was given the honour of pulling the Queen's hearse.

Yes those men in Highland Dress are civilians, undoubtedly the Queen's servants and pipers.

Interesting to see what appeared to be a contingent of Prussian dignitaries, one's helmet bearing a huge metal eagle.

Yes indeed it would be wonderful to hear the bands... probably playing at A=452!

[Larry124]

As a music educator, I'm intrigued by the instruments carried by the band, and the way some of them are carried. It appears that some of these musicians hadn't marched in quite a while.

With respect. Other parts of the ceremonial do not appear to be as practiced and smart as they would be today.

[Orvis]

Fascinating film! Of course, those were the pre-1914 days of regimental full-dress throughout the British Army, so it would be spectacular to see as a "talking" colorized newsreel. I agree that part of the film was a reverse-negative (showing swords being carried opposite to where they should have been). It was interesting to see the Guardsmen carrying their rifles at "reverse arms," and then while halted executing the movements for "rest upon arms reversed." Did you note how the Guards officer had to chivvy some of his men away from the front of the VIP stand when the gun carriage was drawn to a halt prior to taking off HM's casket? As to the precision of marching and drill, one can't really tell much from a silent film of such age (for example, it appeared that the marchers were marching at "quick time," while they were actually doing the slow march, but I believe it had been quite some time since the troops and the other dignitaries had performed a State Funeral of such magnitude. Since there was probably no dress rehearsal (except probably for the RN gun carriage crew, which obviously got a lot of rehearsal, judging from the precision of their drill), I am not surprised that some of the marchers were a bit rusty. As to the German officer in the winged pickelhaube, I believe that was Kaiser Wilhelm II (Queen Victoria's cousin), who did attend the State Funeral, along with royalty and nobility from across Europe (they were all related somehow).

When Sir Winston Churchill died and received a State Funeral, it was the first live trans-Atlantic TV broadcast, and I remember seeing it as a kid. The RN again formed the gun carriage crew and carried out their duties according to the extant edition of the Royal Naval Handbook of Parade and Rifle Drill. It wasn't that much different than what was carried out during Queen Victoria's funeral, except that the sailors didn't wear straw hats. During that funeral, the Massed Pipes and Drums of the Highland regiments (51st Highland Division??) were posted along the cortege route playing "Highland Cradle Song" and "My Home." It just grabbed me, and that is what started me down the road to an interest in all things Highland, including kilt-wearing.