King Charles gives Queen’s funeral piper a new job as his morning alarm clock
KING Charles has given the Queen’s funeral piper a new job — as his morning alarm clock.
Pipe Major Paul Burns gained global fame playing haunting lament Sleep Dearie Sleep as the Queen’s coffin disappeared from view at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel last month.
Now the King has made Paul his personal piper following a tradition that started in 1843.
He carried out his first official piping duties on Tuesday as the monarch worked at his Birkhall home on the Balmoral estate.
Paul will now travel with the King and play bagpipes outside his window at 9am every day, wherever he stays in the UK.
A source said: “His mother adored having her piper. It’s a lovely tradition.
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“Everyone remembers that moment the Pipe Major finished the committal as he played the pipes, turned his back and walked away.
“The King was full of admiration for how he carried out his duty for the Queen.
“Everyone is delighted the quirky job did not disappear with her.
“The tradition is for it to happen at 9am. But the King is always awake much earlier.”
Paul was the 17th piper to the Queen.
After her funeral service, he tweeted: “As a young lad living close to Balmoral Castle, I remember their presence from a young age.
“The Royal Guard inspired me to join the Army.”
