Britain’s first female Life Guards officer who tragically died in a car crash, aged just 28, revealed how she shared a ‘magical’ moment with Princess Charlotte at the King’s Coronation in one of her last interviews.
Comrades bid an emotional farewell to trailblazer Captain Elizabeth Godwin yesterday as they attended her military funeral in Wellington Barracks, London.
The young officer, who died in Surrey on September 5, was the first female to commission into The Life Guards – part of the Household Cavalry.
After joining the regiment in 2020 Captain Godwin went on to win the Sword of Honour at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, as the best of her intake.
But reflecting on her career so far in a 2023 interview, there was one special moment that really stood out for her above all else: connecting with the young Princess Charlotte as she helped escort the King and Queen’s carriage at Buckingham Palace.
The only woman in a sea of male Guards, Captain Godwin described how she would never forget the eye contact she made with the young princess at the occasion in May 2023.
She was later described as having ‘enchanted’ Charlotte as she ventured into the Buckingham Palace forecourt.
Speaking to Tatler, Captain Godwin said: ‘I went into the Royal Salute in Buckingham Palace forecourt and the gold coach came past, followed by the coach that had the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte in it.
+9
View gallery
Captain Godwin joined The Life Guards in 2020, winning the Sword of Honour at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as the best of her intake
+9
View gallery
Captain Lizzie Godwin leads the sovereign’s escort during the King’s coronation
+9
View gallery
Princess Charlotte travels by carriage during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 06, 2023 (file image)
‘I looked over at Charlotte as she went through the archway – she was smiling at me and waved as she went past. What a magical moment that was. I actually had goosebumps.’
Captain Godwin described how she had spent months practicing for the occasion as she paraded with troops through St James’s and Westminster to perfect she sequence of trot marches as Three Divisional Commander – a position allocated to escort the King and Queen’s carriage.
She later recalled: ‘I remember really looking forward to [it] and feeling so privileged.
‘I had fortunately finished my equine training so that I would be in a privileged position to ride in the coronation.’
In a statement following her death, the Household Cavalry described Captain Godwin as ‘an utterly dedicated officer who worked tirelessly and always for the good of her soldiers’.
The tribute continued: ‘Lizzie will be remembered as a truly kind, selfless and committed friend to all – seeking opportunities even in the most difficult of circumstances.
‘She embodied servant leadership and everything it is to be a Household Cavalry officer.’
Captain Godwin’s funeral took place on Wednesday at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London, where nine mounted cavalry troopers from the Life Guards formed a detachment on the Wellington Barracks Square for the arrival of the hearse.
+9
View gallery
The funeral took place on Wednesday at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London
+9
View gallery
Captain Godwin’s coffin was carried by members of the regiment, and the steps to the chapel were lined by dismounted dutymen from The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals Regiment
+9
View gallery
Family members watch as the Bearer Party carry the coffin from the funeral of Captain Godwin
Members of the regiment carried her coffin, and the steps to the chapel were lined by dismounted dutymen from The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals Regiment.
At the top of the steps, there was an honour guard of soldiers from Army Training Regiment Pirbright, young soldiers she had taught at the time of her death.
The hearse bearing her coffin followed the route Captain Godwin took each day to take up her duties when she was an officer of the King’s Life Guard.
Captain Godwin joined The Life Guards in 2020, winning the Sword of Honour at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
At the time of her death, she was serving in the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright.
The officer, who had grown up in Devon and attended Exeter School, was interviewed at Hyde Park Barracks by British magazine Tatler for its October 2023 issue.
Telling of leading a 29-strong troop, she said: ‘No matter what, you have to have a confident front, because if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will.’
+9
View gallery
Nine mounted cavalry troopers from the Life Guards formed a detachment on the Wellington Barracks Square for the arrival of the hearse
+9
View gallery
Military buglers at the funeral for Captain Elizabeth Godwin, at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London
+9
View gallery
The Bearer Party carry the coffin in to the funeral for Captain Godwin
Captain Godwin died following a crash at around 8pm between a Nissan and BMW on the A322 Lightwater Bypass.
Friends had told The Sun she was travelling home.
Commanding Officer Lt Col Tom Armitage called her ‘a tough and talented young officer’ in a previous tribute.
He said: ‘Her sudden and untimely death leaves a huge void for all of us in the Household Cavalry.
‘She will be remembered by us all as a lively, fun and dynamic officer with a very bright future ahead of her.’
