Jack Burnell-Williams walked with the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch few weeks ago.
An 18-year-old royal guard who walked with Queen's coffin two weeks back has been found dead in his barracks. Jack Burnell-Williams served with the Household Cavalry and had walked with the Queen's coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch just two weeks before. The teen was found dead at Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge just before 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday, reports The Guardian. An army spokesperson said, “It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams on 28 September 2022 at Hyde Park Barracks. Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and friends at this difficult time and we ask that their privacy is respected.”
The young guardsman's cause of death is yet to be revealed. While his death was "unexpected," noted the Metropolitan Police. Investigators do not suspect foul play. "Officers will assist with preparing a report for the coroner," Metropolitan Police shared in a statement to PEOPLE.
Tragic news ‘Wonderful’ soldier, 18, who walked alongside Queen’s coffin during her funeral procession is found dead at his barracks. Household Cavalry trooper Jack Burnell-Williams, played a key role in the royal send-off as one of the men who protected her coffin. @HCav1660 😢 pic.twitter.com/Q1XMTg12Qc
— ASA Forces Charity 🇬🇧 (@AncreSommeScot) September 30, 2022
Two weeks ago, his father posted videos of his son at the events on Facebook, captioning them: My son doing his duty for the queen on her final journey, so proud of you Jak Williams xx very proud father xx. The teen served in the Blues and Royals and it is believed that he was part of several ceremonial events during the official period of state mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth. One of the events included guarding King Charles III and senior members of the Royal Family when the monarch's coffin was taken from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The Queen's state funeral was held at Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19. Recently, it was confirmed that the Queen's cause of death was old age, according to a document published by National Records of Scotland on Thursday, reports PEOPLE.
Now, friends and family are mourning the loss of Burnell-Williams. His mother, Laura, said she was "heartbroken" at the death of her son, according to the Independent. "Never ever thought I would be saying this but we as a family are all heartbroken with the sudden passing of our wonderful son Jak Williams yesterday", she said. Jak's sister, Elisha, said in a post that the family was releasing balloons in his honor the following Saturday at the Bryntirion Football Club. "Please spread the word and join us in celebrating my boy's life," she wrote in a post. "Blue colors to be worn preferably and also blue balloons."
Soldier Jack Burnell-Williams, 18, who walked beside Queen's coffin at her funeral, has died suddenly at Hyde Park barracks in London https://t.co/qt7Dklcb8O
— Brian Joyce (@brijoyce) October 1, 2022
References:
https://people.com/royals/guardsman-from-queens-funeral-found-dead-at-army-barracks-in-london/
https://people.com/royals/queen-elizabeth-cause-of-death-revealed-old-age/
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/01/soldier-18-found-dead-at-army-barracks-in-london
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Jeff J Mitchell
