GRIEF is something that he has to handle every working day.

However, Eastleigh funeral director Paul Capper will never forget the emotion-charged moment when he took centre stage in the film of the royal story that rocked the world.

Millions will see him play the role of the royal funeral director in a film blockbuster which tells the gripping story of how the royals reacted after the tragic death of Princess Diana.

Paul also gets to chaffeur Her Majesty played by Helen Mirren in The Queen which hits the big screen today. It is expected to a box office smash hit with Oscars to follow.

The 39-year-old Eastleigh funeral director landed two roles after a phone call from the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club.

Paul said: "They rang last October to see if we could provide a Rolls-Royce similar to the Queen's, particularly with the same interior."

Among the fleet at Paul's Leigh Road funeral parlour is the 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom Six State limo which was used to drive Princes Wiliam and Harry from the Royal Train to Althorpe on the day of Diana's funeral.

Paul also has a Daimler identical to the one used at Diana's funeral. This was driven to Southend-On-Sea airport for filming of the scene in which Princess Diana's body is brought from Paris.

Paul said: "I was dressed as the royal funeral director. It was very moving being in the situation where you have got RAF pall bearers, played by actors, walking towards you. There was a wreath bearing the word Mummy'.

"It brought back all those things we remembered so well on that terrible day."

One of Paul's drivers, 71-year-old Ray Bland, was at the wheel of the royal hearse for the filming.

Ray, from North Baddesley, said: "I felt honoured and humbled in taking part in the filming of such a historic occasion which affected the whole nation."

For the role of royal chauffeur Paul had to shave off his beard because the Queen does not like her staff having facial hair.

He drives his Rolls-Royce carrying the Queen (Helen Mirren) and Prince Philip (James Cromwell) as it sweeps out through the gates of Buckingham Palace into the streets thronged by a nation in mourning.

Although he spent the whole day running the Queen around, Paul said: "The actual distance I covered was only 100 yards but I did that 11 times."

Paul enjoyed working with Dame Helen and the rest of the cast but he said: "I did not know whether to be nervous because I was driving the Queen or because it was Helen Mirren! But she was incredibly lovely."