Soldiers who took part in the Queen Mother's funeral procession yesterday described their mixed emotions of pride and sadness as they performed their duties.

Members of the Irish Guards, who carried the coffin, and of the army band which led the procession from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, said they were relieved that the event had been executed perfectly.

In the funeral cortege were 196 pipers and drummers from 12 regular army regiments and two Territorial Army regiments.

They played the Scottish melodies, The Mist-Covered Mountains of Home and My Home, while leading the coffin to the funeral and the Irish lament, Oft In the Stilly Night, as it was moved from Westminster to the hearse.

The man in charge of the coffin bearers was a former pupil of Ampleforth College, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

Captain Fabian Roberts, 29, revealed that the thought of someone slipping on the floor of Westminster Abbey had caused a week of sleepless nights.

In the event the men, who also carried the Queen Mother's coffin last Friday, completed their duty without a hitch.

Since last Monday the coffin party had rehearsed for 12 hours a day carrying a coffin of similar weight, each of the eight volunteers carrying about 56lb on their shoulders.

Capt Roberts said: "The thought of something going wrong has had me sweating in the early hours of the morning. But it has been an extraordinary week for us."

Guardsman Thomas Major, 23 - one of the bearer party - said: "I am really proud because the Queen Mother has been part of our battalion for 70 years.

"It was an honour for us because she asked for our regiment to do this.

"Afterwards, a few officers came up to us and shook our hands because it all went so smoothly.

"The hardest thing was the nerves - being next to the Royal Family and hoping we did not lose step. Because of the weight of the coffin, it is very hard to keep in time.

"The most emotional part for me was when we were coming out of the abbey and all the bands started up.''

Pipe Major Steven Small, of the Black Watch, said: "It was very emotional - a very moving experience.

"There was a lump in my throat when I saw the faces of the crowd.

"The Queen Mother was our colonel-in-chief for more than 60 years and I had met her a few times.

"I felt great affection for her. She was like our granny and the way she spoke to the Jocks was like a friend.

Major Gavin Stoddart, director of Army bagpipe music, said the bands had only had since Friday to rehearse.

He said: "I submitted a selection of music to Buckingham Palace for agreeing in 1997, and the three melodies were selected."

But the music was only distributed for the first time for rehearsal on Friday.

"The bands do not play with music sheets and have to memorise the tune," said Maj Stoddart.

"The music had to be triggered with correct respect and the bands had to march at the correct tempo for the gun carriage.

"But I am pleased to say that it all went like clockwork."

Maj Stoddart, of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, said: "It is an occasion that will remain in the memory of every piper and drummer."