TWO proud Isle of Wight parents are over the moon to find out their son has been chosen to lead the procession at Prince Philip's funeral today (Saturday).

Joseph Hudd of Ryde, training as an aircraft engineer with the Royal Navy, is part of the ceremonial team at Windsor Castle.

His parents, Les and Charlotte, couldn't be prouder of their 25-year-old son, who was recalled early from leave for the big occasion.

"Joseph has been at Yeovilton training as an aircraft engineer," said Les.

"He came back to the Island for two weeks leave last Thursday, and he picked up his brother, Peter, who'd finished training in the army, on the way home.

"Then, on Friday, he got recalled back to Yeovilton. We all just presumed it was because of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

"We didn't hear from him for a few days, then we found out he was chosen to be part of the Yeovilton team ­— to be part of the parade.

"It's quite strange, because he went to where his brother Peter had been training to do the marching practice.

"He was pretty upset to be called back from leave early and not knowing why, but he's over the moon now.

"It's quite a funny thing really, because I was in the army ­— in the Duke of Edinburgh royal regiment ­— and we used to see Prince Philip quite a bit.

"He was our colonel-in-chief, and he used to rock up wherever we were and meet a few of us, so it's a funny link that my son is now part of the procession ­— the next generation."