Farewell to Queen's Traveling Yeoman: Funeral to be held in Windsor for 89-year-old Frank Holland who served on the royal yacht – after the flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast in his honor

The funeral of a key aide to the late Queen took place in Windsor today.

Frank Holland, who was Her Majesty's Traveling Yeoman for almost 40 years, died earlier this month at the age of 88.

He spent much of his career on the Queen's beloved Royal Yacht Britannia, which was decommissioned by Tony Blair's Labor government in 1997.

Staff stood outside the Royal Mews at Windsor Castle this morning as a hearse carrying Mr Holland's coffin headed to nearby St Edward's Catholic Church.

In 1969, the Queen awarded Mr Holland the Royal Victorian Medal for his services to her.

The funeral of a key aide to the late Queen took place in Windsor today. Frank Holland, who served as Her Majesty's Traveling Yeoman for almost four decades, died earlier this month at the age of 88.

After retiring, he lived in an apartment opposite Windsor's St George's Chapel, where Her Majesty was buried in September 2022 following her death at Balmoral.

Philip Reynolds, who served with Mr Holland in the local Catenian Association, spoke warmly of the former royal aide in a moving eulogy.

He told how King Charles sent him a bouquet of flowers after a recent hospital visit and the Queen visited him before leaving for Balmoral for the last time.

“I always found it admirable how he downplayed his relationship with the royal family,” he said.

“Whenever he was asked where he lived, his usual response was, 'Oh, I live at the top of the city.'

'I am told that the King recently asked Frank, “How long have we known each other?”, to which Frank replied, “I have known you since you were five, Your Majesty.”

'And when Frank returned from a long stay in hospital last year, he was delighted to receive a large bouquet of flowers with the message 'welcome home, Charles.'

Royal staff stand outside the Royal Mews in Windsor before the hearse carrying Mr Holland's coffin is driven past

Mr Holland spent much of his career on the Queen's beloved royal yacht Britannia (above: the yacht that arrived in Torquay during a visit by the Queen and Prince Philip in 1988). It was dismantled by Tony Blair's Labor government in 1997

Queen Elizabeth II aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia during her Royal Jubilee Tour of Western Samoa, February 1977

The order of service for Mr Holland's funeral at St Edward's Catholic Church in Windsor

'I also know that the late Queen, before she went to Balmoral for the last time, made a point of seeing Frank to say goodbye. I think she knew she wouldn't be returning to Windsor.

“Many of us noticed the change in Frank, and how deeply her death affected him.”

Mr Holland began his service on the Royal Yacht after serving in the Royal Navy as part of National Service.

He met his wife Joan, who was on the Queen Mother's staff, after joining the Royal Family.

His role as Traveling Yeoman included overseeing logistics on the

Mr Reynolds added: “He was a lovely man, a lovely gentleman and a very sweet, gentle man.

'It was a pleasure and a privilege to know you Frank. May you rest in peace and rise in glory.”

The hearse carrying Mr. Holland's coffin is carried towards St. Edward's Catholic Church