Shutterstock Penny Lancaster trained to become a special constable with theCity of London Police after appearing on the reality TV show Famous andFighting Crime
Penny Lancaster had a unique perspective during the world’s farewell to HerMajesty.
The British model and TV personality, 51, who is married to Rod Stewart,credited “great training and preparation” for a smooth day as she spoke to SkyNews about being part of the police detail on Monday for Queen Elizabeth II’sstate funeral.
“With all that planning going ahead, you can never quite predict how the crowdis [going to] react and the dangers that might lay ahead,” Lancaster said.”But we’ve had great training and preparation, and fortunately, everybody paidtheir respects in the proper manner and we didn’t have any incidents to speakof. So, I’m very grateful for that.”
She explained that Operation London Bridge “came into action immediately”after the Queen’s death, and they were alerted of duties via phone.
Lancaster, who is a special constable with the City of London Police, saidthat she’s “very proud to be able to serve” during such a “historic moment”for the country as she announced her state funeral duty last week on GoodMorning Britain.
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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II carried by pallbearers at the State Funeralof Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, on September 19, 2022 inLondon, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street,Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 andascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died atBalmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by hereldest son, King Charles III.
_Jack Hill – WPA Pool/Getty _ Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 on Thursday,Sept. 8 and her state funeral was held Monday at Westminster Abbey before shewas laid to rest at Windsor Castle
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“It was a great privilege to work at the Queen’s memorial service at St.Paul’s Cathedral on Friday,” she said. “I signed the oath of Office ofConstable to Her Majesty the Queen just over a year ago, April last year, andjust as the seamless tie between Her Majesty and King Charles III, my oathwill now be with the King.”
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Stewart, 77, detailed his wife’s eight-month journey toward becoming a cop toPEOPLE last year after she was inspired by her appearance on Famous andFighting Crime a reality show in which celebrities ride along with realofficers.
“She got absolutely absorbed by it and loved it,” he recalled in November.”She said, ‘I’m going to do this. I’m going to do all the training, all theexams.’ The nicest quote she said [is]’I want to give something back, fine,but I want to look after the city that I love, which is London.'”
Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart attend the Upstart Crow press night at theGielgud Theater on February 17, 2020 in London, England
Dave J Hogan/Getty Rod Stewart has been married to Penny Lancaster since2007 and they share two children
“She’s a part-timer, she works one day a week and patrols the Tower Bridgearound London. She makes arrests, and she’ll go out in front… She’s tough.She’s 6′ 2″. [You] can’t argue with a big blonde,” Stewart added.
Queen Elizabeth died at age 96 on Thursday, Sept. 8. Her death follows herhusband of 73 years, Prince Philip, who died at age 99 in April 2021. She issucceeded immediately by her eldest son, King Charles III, 73, who is now themonarch.
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The Queen’s coffin traveled to Westminster Hall in a solemn procession onWednesday, and it has since been lying in state for mourners to pay theirrespects.
More than 2,000 people from around the world gathered Monday at WestminsterAbbey for the Queen’s funeral, before she was laid to rest at Windsor Castle.