A Scottish police officer who stood guard at the Queen's coffin as she lay at rest in Edinburgh has spoken of her pride at being involved in Her Majesty's final journey out of Scotland. PC Courtney Craik, from Falkirk, says she was informed three years ago that she would have the "privilege" of being a ceremonial guard for the Queen in the event of the monarch dying in Scotland.
When that came to pass on September 8, it triggered Operation Unicorn - a years-old execution-ready plan that saw movement around Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire restricted with military precision. She told public affairs magazine 1919 that standing guard over Her Majesty at St Giles' Cathedral was a "sombre experience".
She described it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that's not going to come up again," adding: "To be honest, it was quite a proud moment to be involved in."
PC Craik was fitted out for a formal dress uniform - including a tunic, a cravat and white gloves. She carried out a 15-hour nightshift as part of what would be her final duty to the late monarch, rotating out with fellow officers every 20 minutes.
The officers were placed between members of the Royal Company of Archers, the symbolic bodyguards of the monarchy in Scotland. They were unable to speak to the public, and were under strict orders not to leave the casket's side. The police role was filled for a short time by the Queen's children on Monday September 12.
PC Craik added: "It was quite tough, especially when you realised the eyes of the world were on you because it was filmed right through but it was worth it. It was certainly an experience. It’s only after it’s been dealt with and you’ve been there that you start thinking about the scale of it.”
A total of 4,000 police officers were deployed on Sunday, September 1, as Operation Unicorn saw the Queen make her last journey from Balmoral and down the east coast of Scotland before arriving at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. However, many were called upon on Thursday afternoon as the world anxiously awaited further news of the Queen's health after Buckingham Palace initially detailed "concerns" for her wellbeing.
Sergeant Tom Spencer, based in the North East of Scotland, revealed that the Queen's death appeared to have caught top cops off guard, as many people had gone home for the day by the time the news was announced at 6.30pm. However, Operation Unicorn's slickness meant the hiccup barely disturbed arrangements.
He recalled: "It was a little bit challenging on the Friday in terms of getting everything set up and into place. It was the cops on the ground and the supervision that made it happen.
"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a lot of the cops put in a lot of hours over the weekend and people were coming in on days off, but everyone realised the significance and importance of what they were doing and it’s likely we’ll never be involved in an operation of this scale and importance ever again."
The Record reported extensively from outside the gates of Balmoral Castle before and after the Queen's death last month. In that time, police officers privately told reporters of their appreciation for the public, who were happy to comply with all instructions and behaved with respect at the estate.
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Sergeant John McOuat told 1919: "My hat is off to the officers. They came up, they got briefed, they went onto points and from my perspective, they put in a power of work.
"It was long, long shifts up there. I didn’t hear any moans or grumbles in my time there, other than being a bit tired, which is fair enough because by the time you’d started and got home you’re 16/17 hours but it was very much an honour and privilege and something I’ll never forget."
Police chiefs say 13 people were arrested across the operation's lifespan. However, no security breaches or incidents of "significant violence" were reported, according to chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone.
He said said: "Operation Unicorn was activated quickly as this moment in world history – the end of an era – resonated globally. We are all aware that billions across the world followed events in Scotland and subsequently in London.”
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