King’s pregnant pause for sailor in line of duty

A HEAVILY pregnant sailor was among 150 Royal Navy personnel presented with medals by the King for playing a major role at his mother’s funeral.

Medical assistant Paisley ChambersSmith, who is seven months pregnant, was one of 98 sailors who pulled the state gun carriage which bore Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin.

The 25-year-old wore a blue summer dress to receive her Royal Victorian Order silver medal yesterday at Windsor Castle as there is no Royal Navy ceremonial maternity wear. Seven other sailors collapsed as temperatures rose.

Ms Chambers-Smith said: ‘The King asked when the baby was due and how it was standing in the heat.’ She added it had been ‘a massive honour’ to take part in the funeral and contribute to ‘part of history’.