Scots police officer recounts tears over late Queen's coffin duties

Daily Record

23-04-2025

Lee Cockburn, who also writes gritty crime novels, said she was moved to tears while on duty during the late monarch's memorial.
A police officer who writes gritty crime thrillers has told how guarding Queen Elizabeth's coffin reduced her to tears.
Lee Cockburn, also a Scotland international capped rugby player, was in charge for the monarch's lying in state in St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, in September 2022.
‌
Over four days, the acting inspector was charged with the safety of more than 33,000 people who queued for hours to file past the coffin as well as the Royal Family as they observed a private vigil.
Mum-of-two Lee, 56, from Edinburgh, said: 'I received a call asking if I was available to cover inspector duties at St Giles for the full duration of the Queen's presence there. I was so honoured.
'I was a little nervous at being given such a responsibility but jumped at the opportunity to play my part in such an historic event, which also allowed me to show my own respect for her Majesty the Queen.
'On that first day, when I looked up the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle as we awaited the funeral procession, the hairs on my neck stood on end as the sheer enormity of the occasion hit me.
'As the Queen's funeral cortege passed by St Giles, the crowd fell into complete silence, with my officers facing the oncoming cortege, all standing to attention, it was a spectacle to see and very emotional.
'I felt tears come to my eyes and struggled to remain composed. There was such sadness in the air.'
‌
Before joining the force more than two decades ago , Lee had played for the Scotland women's rugby team for 15 years, earning 77 caps for the Scottish ladies and British Lionesses.
She swam competitively for 12 years, successfully representing Edinburgh at the age of 15 in the Youth Olympics in Denmark in 1984.
‌
Lee, who is still a serving police officer, then decided to give writing a go and her novel was published in November 2014.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The thriller writer was given special dispensation to write her first three crime novels – Devil's Demise, Porcelain Flesh of Innocents and Demon's Fire.
‌
The nation was stunned when the Queen died at the age of 96 after more than 70 years on thre throne. Her coffin was brought from Holyrood Palace to St Giles where thousands queued for an opportunity to pay their final respects.
Lee said: 'I watched over them and made sure my team were ready for any eventuality and that everyone was respectful, calm and safe at all times.
'As I sat on the police bus that took us back to base after those four back-shifts, I reflected with pride and sadness of being a part of such a momentous chapter in Scottish history and felt so privileged to have been given the opportunity to do so.'
'Sylph or Satan' is the fourth instalment in Lee's Edinburgh-set crime thriller series where DS Taylor Nicks and DC Marcus Black are back, fighting crime on the streets of the Scottish capital.