AN INVERCLYDE soldier who helped carry the late Queen's coffin on her final Scottish journey is preparing to take part in another royal service this weekend.
Gourock man Ryan McAllister, who serves as a Lance Corporal at The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s Redford Barracks in Edinburgh, will join King Charles III's Coronation ceremony on Saturday.
The 23-year-old has spent the last couple of weeks in rehearsal ahead of marching in procession with hundreds of other armed forces members on the big day.
Ryan, along with fellow local soldier Scott Cox from Port Glasgow, played a key role in the coffin bearers party as Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was carried into the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the capital after her journey from Balmoral in September.
Looking ahead to the Coronation this weekend, Ryan said: “It’s an honour to be a part of this day - I’m really looking forward to it.
"But preparation has had to be worked around a seriously busy past few months of training and exercises.
READ MORE: Two Inverclyde servicemen accompany Queen's coffin
"So, we’re making sure we use these last few days to really perfect our steps and timings.”
Ryan is just back from a 10-day training exercise in Cyprus where he undertook various challenges, including a 36-hour, 70 kilometre patrol competition that saw him and his company complete wide-ranging tasks at each checkpoint.
He also recently participated in an intensive six-week-long NATO readiness test in Salisbury Plains Training Area, which is designed to ensure individual units are ready to deploy as part of a larger battle group.
However, Saturday will see him wear a different hat, as he steps away from his military training to join the royal celebration.
Ryan, who joined The Royal Regiment of Scotland when he was 19, added: “It’s funny, because it’s something that those watching on the day probably forget, but all the formal parades are just so far away from what we’re doing on a ‘normal’ day.
"Though I guess that’s the stuff that the public never sees.
“I joined the army for the challenge and the opportunities it brings. But getting to step into these events that will be marked in the history books forever is definitely a bonus, and something I never thought I’d be doing.”
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