A ROYAL bodyguard will welcome the Queen to his home city as she visits York Minster for the distribution of the Royal Maundy money tomorrow.

For ten years Ernest Sawdon, 64, of Burnholme, in York, has been a member of The Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard.

He was chosen to be part of the sovereign’s iconic Yeomen of the Guard following a 22-year career in the armed forces, serving with the Coldstream Guards.

Mr Sawdon said his ceremonial role means he attends between ten and 12 services involving the Queen each year, including the annual Royal Maundy Service, and tomorrow’s event will be the first in more than 100 he has taken part in that will be in his home city.

The last time the Queen distributed the Royal Maundy Money in York was in 1972.

Mr Sawdon will don the distinctive uniform of red, white and gold when he takes his place with the other members of The Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard in York Minster.

He said: “It is extremely nice to be on duty when the Queen is visiting my home city.”

Mr Sawdon joined the armed forces after training to be a carpenter and spent 22 years in the army, despite only ever intending to spend three years.

After he retired from the Coldstream Guards he was approached ten years later to be a Yeoman Guard.

Mr Sawdon, who is also a secretary and treasurer of the York Branch of the Coldstream Guards’ Association and part of the York branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It was an absolute honour and great privilege to be asked.”

All Yeomen must have had at least 22 years’ service and have been awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Mr Sawdon’s role has seen him serve at Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Windsor Castle. He has attended many Maundy services and said they are his favourite Royal event.

He said: “The Maundy service is a very, very colourful event and it is great for the city that the Queen is coming in her Diamond Jubilee year.”

There are 73 Yeomen of the Guard, all of whom are former officers and sergeants of the British Services.

The Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard was created by Henry VII in 1485 at the battle of Bosworth and it is the oldest of the Royal bodyguards and the oldest military corps in existence in Britain.