The Queen and other members of the Royal Family attended a special service of thanksgiving for the life of Sir Edmund Hillary at St.George’s Chapel in Windsor.
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The Queen and The Princess Royal during the service
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The service, led by the Dean of Windsor, included the laying up of Sir Edmund’s Garter banner.
The New Zealander was made a Knight of the Garter in 1995. On appointment to the Order, every knight is required to display a banner of his arms in the Chapel, together with a helmet, crest and sword and an enamelled stallplate.
These ‘achievements’ are taken down on the knight’s death and the insignia are returned to the Sovereign, with the stallplates remaining as a memorial.
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Sir Edmund Hillary’s Garter banner is laid up during the service in St George’s Chapel, Windsor
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Sir Edmund was originally knighted by The Queen in 1953 as a Knight of the Order of the British Empire after he became the first man to climb Mount Everest earlier that year, accompanied by his Sherpa companion, Tenzing Norgay.
His great achievement was announced on the morning of The Queen’s Coronation, and the two great events have ever since been associated in the public consciousness as marking the dawning of a new post-war era.
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Sir Edmund Hillary (left) with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and expedition leader Colonel John Hunt in Katmandu after descending from the summit of Everest in 1953
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As a fellow Commonwealth citizen, British subjects celebrated his victory as their own.
During the service, Hillary’s son Peter spoke of the good fortune that the Coronation and the conquering of Everest had coincided:
‘For my father, his association with the Royal Family was something that gave him great pleasure and honour. He was very grateful for that friendship.’
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Gurkha troops form a Guard of Honour outside the chapel
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The Service was also attended by Lady Hillary, other members of the Hillary family, the Prime Minister of New Zealand and friends and colleagues of Sir Edmund.
Sir Edmund, who was known as a modest man, continued to lead expeditions all over the world following his famous achievement. He was also heavily involved in fund-raising and aid activities in the Himalayas.
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Sir Edmund’s widow, Lady June Hillary and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark at St George’s Chapel
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Following his death in January 2008, Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand paid tribute to her fellow countryman:
‘Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only ‘knocked off’ Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity.’ |
