The group of everyday heroes were recognized in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List in June and will now have the chance to join royals, politicians and world leaders at Westminster Abbey on Monday. Around 2,000 people are expected to gather at the historic church to bid farewell to Britain’s longest-serving monarch. Funeral rehearsals held at dawn – live updates Natalie Queiroz, from Birmingham, who teaches children about the dangers of knife crime, was one of three community activists from the Midlands to receive an invitation. In a video posted on Twitter, he said: “Looks like the cat’s out of the bag. I’ve been told to keep it a secret but I think everyone knows now – it’s a huge, huge honour.” “I’m just really humbled to be part of such a huge experience and to be able to say thank you to Her Majesty the Queen and pay my respects and fly the flag for Birmingham,” he added. Ms Queiroz, who was recognized with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors list, survived an attack in 2016 while heavily pregnant, in which she was stabbed 24 times by her partner. Other Midlands guests include Rutland-based MBE recipient Barbara Crellin, who set up her local emergency programme, and Kevan Liles MBE, who recruited around 2,500 volunteers to help during the pandemic. While Buckingham Palace has yet to release the full guest list, several hundred dignitaries from around the world are expected to travel to London to pay their respects to the Queen. Her funeral, which is set to be one of the biggest logistical and diplomatic events to take place in the UK for decades, will begin at 11am. “I still don’t really believe it” Father-of-two Pranav Bhanot, who was honored for his work supporting people during the COVID-19 pandemic, said he couldn’t believe it when he was invited. The 34-year-old, from Chigwell in Essex, helped deliver 1,200 free meals and was made an MBE on the Queen’s birthday. The lawyer also gave “free gift advice to people who had canceled weddings, couldn’t get their deposits back, people who lost their jobs because they were fired,” he said. Mr Bhanot, a councilor at Chigwell Parish Council, said he received a phone call while his two-year-old child was sleeping on Saturday afternoon. “I still can’t really believe it as the invitation hasn’t come yet. It was the last thing I ever expected. It’s a great honour,” he said. “It feels completely out of place because all the headlines are saying there will be world leaders and presidents, but it will give me a really nice opportunity to pay my respects to someone I really admired.” He said he has received few details to date, other than to “wear a dark suit,” which he has already gone out and bought. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:40 Thousands of people are queuing Mr Bhanot recalled meeting the Queen at an interfaith event at Lambeth Palace 10 years ago when he was a student at Manchester University and involved in student politics. “She was a lot shorter than I thought, but she had this incredible presence, very sweet,” he said. “Very kind and made me feel very comfortable, even though I nearly froze as I couldn’t believe I was standing in front of someone I’d seen on TV all my life and who was such a constant in my life. “ Read more: The queue to see the Queen in state could be cut short. Grief and opportunity of state funerals ‘works’ King loses patience with dripping pen The Queen’s Birthday in June recognized 1,134 people in the UK who have made an outstanding contribution to their community and country. The list, which coincided with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, included writers, athletes, politicians, actors and doctors who rose to prominence during the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s all a bit surreal really” A 71-year-old veteran has also been recognized for his efforts and is among those invited to the Queen’s funeral. Robert Lodge was made an MBE earlier this year for his work with the charity Red Cypher, which supports past and present members of the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, and said receiving an invitation triggered a “special feeling”. From Weeley Heath in Essex, he joined the army as an 18-year-old gunner and rose to the rank of captain in 27 years’ service. In 1984, he met the Queen in 1984 and described her as “friendly, straightforward as everyone knows her and a wonderful person”. “When I was invited to the funeral, it’s a duty and I feel privileged, and ‘Why me?’, but completely amazed that I’ve been invited,” Mr Lodge said. “I just feel very humbled. This year, the MBE, the Queen dying, being invited to her funeral… it’s a bit surreal, really. “But looking at the pictures on TV and all the people I’m talking to, there’s an outpouring of sadness. It’s just amazing.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:50 What is a state funeral? Other volunteers who will attend the Queen’s funeral include an Essex man who runs a charity which helps pay for veterans’ funerals, a London woman who set up a charity which helps adults cope with grief and a woman from North Shields who built a special play center for children with special needs. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I can confirm that among the guests who have been invited will be almost 200 people who were recognized at the Queen’s birthday this year in June. “These people from across the UK have been recognized for their outstanding contribution in areas such as tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, people volunteering in their communities, charity workers and those working in healthcare, education and the wider public sector”. After the funeral, around 800 people, including members of the Queen’s Household and Windsor Estate staff, will attend a ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Image: Watch and watch the Queen’s funeral on TV, web and apps on Monday from 9am
