Who is the Queen’s piper Pipe Major Paul Burns?
THE Queen’s piper will play at Her Majesty’s funeral.
The Queen was a lover of bagpipes and her current piper – Pipe Major Paul Burns – will perform on Monday, September 19, 2022.
Who is Pipe Major Paul Burns?
Pipe Major Paul Burns is the 17th piper to the Queen.
The tradition of the monarch having a personal piper began in 1843, dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria.
As the current Pipe Major at the time of her death, Burns will be responsible for playing the bagpipes at her funeral service on Monday, September 19.
Burns serves with The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
How long was Pipe Major Paul Burns The Queen’s Piper for?
Pipe Major Burns became the Queen’s Pipe Major in 2021, taking over from Pipe Major Richard Grisdale.
Burns served as the Queen’s Pipe Major for a year up until her death on September 8, 2022.
The Queen’s 15th Pipe Major was Scott Methven.
He was her piper for four years, between 2015 and 2019.
Methven spoke very fondly of the late monarch and his relationship with her.
He described her as “the best employer he ever had”, and said she was “easy-going and funny”.
He recalled his devastation at finding out about her death, stating he felt as though he had just “lost a family member”.
Methven also explained that he has exchanged words with the Queen’s current Pipe Major, Paul Burns, saying he gave him “advice” regarding his piping duties at the Queen’s funeral.
He described Burns as “a cracking piper and a good man”, saying “he will do a fantastic job”.
What will Pipe Major Paul Burns do at The Queen’s funeral?
Burns will play the pipes during the Queen’s state funeral service at Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday, September 19.
He will play a lament as the service ends at around 12pm.
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He will also play a lament when the Queen’s coffin is moved into St George’s Chapel in Windsor for her committal service, later in the day at 4pm.
Methven described Burns role in the Queen’s funeral as “very much at the front and centre”.