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Royal Guard's Suicide After Queen's Funeral
3 Feb
Summary
- Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams died by suicide nine days after the Queen's funeral.
- He reportedly struggled with workload and discipline in the Household Cavalry.
- His family hopes lessons are learned about the Army's mental health support.
A young trooper who walked in Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral procession tragically died by suicide nine days later. Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams, 18, was found deceased at Hyde Park Barracks in London on September 28, 2022. The inquest into his death revealed he struggled with the rigorous demands of service in the Household Cavalry.
His girlfriend testified that Burnell-Williams found the workload overwhelming and particularly disliked the pressure to maintain pristine ceremonial kit, often facing reprimands for not meeting standards. She described him as having "absolutely hated" his posting in London, noting a significant change in his demeanor due to the job's pressures and long hours.
Despite his desire for a different military role, Burnell-Williams was posted to the Blues and Royals. His family, present at the inquest, expressed hope that his passing would lead to better mental health support for young soldiers within the British Army. The inquest is ongoing and expected to examine further details of his service and challenges.
