Ballymena brothers were part of Queen’s Guard of Honour

Brothers James, 80, and 79-year-old John Letters joined the Irish Guards when they were teenagers.

Before the Coronation in 1953 they carried out more than six months of preparations to make sure “everything went to plan”.

It was a day James, who still lives in his home town of Ballymena, will never forget. His brother John now lives in Newbury, Berkshire.

“We were Guards of Honour outside Buckingham Palace back in 1953 as we were both in the Irish Guards,” said Mr Letters. “It was a great day, it really was. It was a lovely day weather-wise too.

“I was around 19 when I joined the Irish Guards and we had six months to train for the Coronation in Aldershot, where the Paratroopers are, to make sure everything went like clockwork.”

Mr Letters, whose “entire family has been associated with the military”, said during his career he carried out many official duties at Royal Family events.

“During my life I really enjoyed the Royal Family and King George in particular,” said Mr Letters. “He was a great man – who was known as Bert – and so was his wife.

“I did guard of honour at King George’s funeral in 1952.

“That was a very cold day, the day of his funeral, where we were wearing bearskins and our boots were shining.

“He came in a horse-driven carriage. He was a very nice man and it was a terrible pity he died so young.”

King George was discovered dead in bed at Sandringham House in Norfolk on the morning of February 6, 1952.

He was 56 and died from a coronary thrombosis in his sleep.

After 16 years on the throne his 25-year-old daughter Elizabeth immediately became Queen.

Elizabeth formally proclaimed herself Queen and Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith in February 1952.

Her Coronation was held more than a year later – on June 2, 1953.

“I also remember the Queen coming over to Balmoral to see a private drill by the Irish Guards,” said Mr Letters.

“My mother came up to see it and she was so proud. If it wasn’t for Royalty what would the country be like?”

Mr Letters, one of 13 children, said he knew his mother Evelyn was “very sad” to see him and his brothers join the Army.

“We had joined the Irish Guards because it was a great thing at the time to get into,” he said.

“There was work in the country at the time but I thought I would do something a bit different – and my younger brother joined me.”

Mr Letters said he has not been able to secure a ticket for the Queen’s visit to Ulster next week.

“But I would like to see her,” he said.