Bury St Edmunds man Christopher Beard goes viral on social media with rendition of The Last Post following Queen's death
A Bury St Edmunds man has gone viral after a moving video of him playing The Last Post was shared online.
Christopher Beard, 31, posted the video of him playing the fanfare on his social media accounts following the Queen's death on Thursday.
It has since been viewed almost 200,000 times on various platforms, including 105,000 on TikTok.
"I wasn't expecting it to go viral or wide at all," said Christopher, who lives on the Westley Estate.
"I just did the tribute without really thinking what was going to happen after. It just seemed like the right thing to do in the moment."
Following the announcement of the Queen's death at 6.31pm, the 31-year-old was keen to make his own tribute alongside others.
He posted on his local Facebook page that he would be playing The Last Post on Hooper Square, and that anyone would be welcome to join him.
Christopher added: "There were about 20 to 30 people who came out.
"My partner and I were sat at home watching the news, and when it was announced I just turned to her and said 'right I am going to do this.'
"I put a post on the Westley Estate Facebook group inviting people to join me to pay our respects. Even with about 15 minutes notice of what was happening, about 20 to 30 people showed up and there were many more standing in their doorways and windows listening in. It was a very sombre moment which we all shared."
Christopher, who works at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, regularly posts videos on his account 'Trumpetpool', which features more light-hearted content focused on his passion for comics and cosplay.
His hobby, alongside play in the voluntary band at RAF Honington, meant he was well-prepared to pay tribute to the Monarch.
"I just wanted to do it to pay my respects to the Queen, who has obviously given her entire life to the country," he said.
"It just seemed like the right thing to do in the moment. I also play for the RAF voluntary band at Honington, so The Last Post is part of what we do. It's something I have done many times, playing The Last Post, so it just seemed like the right thing to do in the moment."