A guardsman, age 18, who had accompanied Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin at her burial barely two weeks earlier, was discovered unconscious on Wednesday at an army base in London.
According to The Guardian, Jack Burnell-Williams was a member of the Household Cavalry and had accompanied the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch before being discovered dead at Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge shortly before 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
According to a military source, “We can report with regret that Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams passed away on September 28, 2022, at Hyde Park Barracks.” “We ask that their privacy be maintained as we think about the soldier’s family and friends at this difficult period.”
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
After an investigation, Metropolitan Police informed PEOPLE that while being “unexpected,” Burnell-Williams’ death is not being investigated further as a possible murder. Officers will help with the coroner’s report preparation.
According to The Independent, Jak Williams’ mother, Laura, apparently said on Facebook before having her messages either privatized or taken down: “Never imagined I would be writing this, but we as a family are all saddened with the tragic loss of our beloved son Jak Williams yesterday.”
Several days before his death, Dan Burnell posted videos of his son, who his family reportedly referred to as “Jak,” participating in Queen Elizabeth’s surface with the caption, “My kid performing his job for the queen on her last journey, very proud of you Jak Williams xx very proud father xx.”
Elisha, Jak’s sister, said in a message on Friday that the family will release balloons at the Bryntirion Football Club on Saturday in his honor.
Please help us celebrate the lives of my boys by spreading the message, the author of the post said. “Blue balloons and blue colors are preferred to be worn.”
On September 19, 2,000 international leaders and royals attended Her Majesty’s state burial at Westminster Abbey in London. The Queen was finally laid to rest with her husband, Prince Philip, her father, King George VI, her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and her sister, Princess Margaret, at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
According to a document released by National Records of Scotland on Thursday, the Queen’s cause of death was recently identified as old age. At Balmoral Castle, she passed away peacefully.
