A young woman from Oxenholme has received the Royal Victorian Medal, pulled the Queen’s coffin and fit guns for Tom Cruise - all before the age of 20.
Gunner Rosie Smith, who is part of the King's Troop, travelled to meet King Charles himself. Together with her father Danny Smith she received the prestigious Royal Victoria medal on the day before her 20th birthday.
The gunner was one of five in the King's Troop to receive this honour. Rosie was rewarded for her part in taking the coffin from the palace to Westminster Abbey for the monarch to lay in state prior to the funeral
Rosie's mum Melissa said: "The ceremony was a small and intimate one with only the King's Troop and the Grenadier Guards who were the pallbearers throughout the week prior and at the funeral.
"The soldiers and their single guest stood in a horseshoe in the Bow room, where Queen Elizabeth had laid in state at the palace. King Charles took time with each recipient and their guest.
"He commented on how proud Danny must be and asked if horses were a family thing. Danny said he left that to his wife and daughters as he didn’t trust them.
"Rosie was thanked for her service and chatted about the coming Trooping the Colour."
Part of the Royal Victorian Order, the medal is given as a personal thank you from the King for a significant contribution to the Royal family. It is considered a personal gift of the sovereign and recipients are permitted to marry in a chapel at Westminster Abbey.
The honour is a form of Knighthood and goes up in levels as further roles and commitment are shown and Rosie can now have the privilege of RVM after her name.
Rosie's grandfather Phineas Smith was in the Horse Artillery before it was called the King's Troop and served in WW1 in active battle with the same guns that Rosie pulls in ceremonies today. She was also given his spurs, which she treasures.
Rosie has always loved horses and was part of Oxenholme pony club as a child. When she was 15 she promised her terminally ill grandad that she was going to join the King’s Troop and pull the Queen’s coffin and amazingly, four years later, this came true.
In the last couple of years Rosie has ridden as part of the funeral for Prince Phillip, taken part in two Trooping the Colour parades, ridden in the Jubilee celebration, pulled the Queen’s coffin and was even selected to show Tom Cruise how to fit the guns at a private showing at Windsor Castle.
Melissa said: "She actually didn't know who Tom Cruise was at first. She's always very calm and cool about things.
"Whilst pulling The Queen's coffin, she was the middle rider of three when pulling the Queen's coffin and showed a steely calmness on the day despite her being only 19.
"When she met King Charles however you could see she was really excited. To achieve and experience so much by your 20th birthday is truly amazing."
Rosie is hoping to join the Saddlers department and train to be a qualified saddler for the King's Troop.
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