Two council officers to receive honours for services for funeral of Her Majesty

Two council officers to receive honours for services to the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Two council officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead are to receive honours in recognition of their roles supporting the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

More than 100,000 people visited Windsor last September as the borough hosted Her Majesty’s Procession and Committal Service, following the state funeral service in Westminster Abbey.

Duncan Sharkey, the council’s Chief Executive at the time, and Paul Roach, the Windsor, Eton and Ascot Town Manager, are both recognised for their services in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Duncan will receive an OBE and Paul an MBE.

Councillor Neil Knowles, mayor of the Royal Borough, said: “As the Royal Borough, we were privileged to play our part in the Procession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the procession made its way to her final resting place in Windsor Castle.

“With an unprecedented number of people visiting Windsor during an emotional and historic moment, this was a major multi-agency operation, involving the close working of many council teams, multiple partners and many volunteers.

“Duncan and Paul were among those council colleagues who played a critical role in ensuring proceedings were observed safely, smoothly and with utmost dignity. I would like to congratulate them for this richly-deserved recognition of the part they played, and to again thank everyone involved in the effective planning and coordination of high profile Royal events in Windsor, who deliver time and time again for the nation.”

Duncan said: “This was a real surprise but I am genuinely honoured. I do want to recognise however that the work we did was very much a team effort.”

Paul added: “An incredible honour and surprise to be recognised in this way. I have the privilege of working with a number of very talented colleagues in the Royal Borough to deliver some of the largest events the Royal Borough has played host to in recent years.”