“It’s just a privilege and an absolute honour'
Two Northern Ireland recipients of the Queen’s final Birthday Honours have spoken of their pride at being asked to attend the late monarch’s funeral. Brenda Herron, who has spent more than 40 years as a Girlguiding leader, and senior Orangeman and Presbyterian minister Rev Mervyn Gibson were both made MBEs in June.
Ms Herron, from Hillsborough, Co Down, was honoured for her long involvement with the guiding movement, an association that has included a period as chief commissioner for Girlguiding Ulster. The Queen, a Guide herself as a child, was patron of the organisation from 1953 until her death.“It’s just a privilege and an absolute honour,” Ms Herron said of her invite to the funeral. “I have a huge mix of emotions. I had massive admiration for the Queen.
Rev Gibson said he was left in a state of disbelief after receiving a phone call from a Government official informing him of his invite. The former Royal Ulster Constabulary officer, who left the force to become a minister at Westbourne Presbyterian Community Church in east Belfast, is currently Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.
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