Harrogate musician’s pride at playing Last Post at Prince Philip’s funeral
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Last updated Apr 23, 2021
Harrogate bugler Hayley Stead

Harrogate bugler Hayley Stead has expressed her pride at playing the Last Post at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last Saturday.

The former Rossett high school pupil’s job title is Lance Corporal Bugler and she plays with the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth.

Her primary job with the Marines is to play the Last Post for men and women who have served in the military and passed away.

Prince Philip died at Windsor Castle on April 9, and the official two-week mourning period for the royal family ends today.

L Cpl Bugler Stead was on Easter leave when she got the call to be part of the funeral. She told the Stray Ferret:

“Pride was an understatement”.

The band spent all week in rehearsals, which included a dress rehearsal on Thursday and a final run-through on Friday.

L Cpl Bugler Stead said over the past year she has been redeployed to help vaccinate and test people alongside the NHS. She said “it was so good to play again”, even if it was for such a sad occasion.


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She added:

“To play on the day it still feels surreal. I was very honoured and proud to be there.”

Passion for music

At the age of 12 L Cpl Bugler Stead joined the Harrogate and District Sea Cadets, where she played in the band and developed a passion for music.

After working for Bettys in her 20s, she decided on a complete career change and to follow her dream of playing music for a living. She said she’s “never looked back” since joining the Marines.