The Princess of Wales laid a wreath during the Service of
Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on Armistice
Day.
The Princess placed the ring of red poppies, adorned with the
feathers of the Prince of Wales, on a memorial during the service
which was also attended by veterans and serving military
personnel.
The wreath carried a handwritten note from the Princess which
said ”In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will
remember them.”
It was signed ‘Catherine’ and was on a card that bore her
personal emblem.
The Princess spent several moments in quiet reflection, with her
head bowed, as she stood in front of the memorial having laid her
wreath.
A special poem was also read during the service. It was
commissioned to reflect issues close to the heart of the Princess
of Wales including personal connections as well as the bonds that
are formed by those sharing military service together.
Called ”A Sonnet for All of Us’, it is the work of Arji
Manuelpillai who is the National Arboretum’s Poet in Residence.
Following the service, the Princess met several veterans who had
taken part in the act of remembrance. She spent some minutes
talking to Donald Redston, 100, who gave her some tips on keeping
fit.
Armistice Day marks the anniversary of the moment that World War
One came to an end. That conflict, known at the time as the Great
War, finally stopped at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th
month of 1918. Exactly 107 years later, millions around the UK
observed a two minute silence in honour of all those who have given
their lives for their country.
The Princess of Wales also attended the Remembrance Sunday
service where King Charles led the nation in commemoration.
Catherine stood on a balcony overlooking Whitehall as The King
and the Prince of Wales laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Queen Camilla was with her and looked on as her own wreath was
laid on her behalf by an equerry.
The evening before, Prince George had joined his mother,
Catherine, at the Royal British Legion Festival of
Remembrance for the first time.
George, 12, took part in the special evening of music and word,
remembering those lost in war, and sat in the front row of the
Royal Box with the Princess of Wales and The King and Queen.
On Armistice Day, the Prince of Wales delivered a special,
recorded message to school children aged 9 to 14 around the UK.
Prince William made a special speech during the
Royal British Legion’s annual Armistice Day assembly for
children and young people. In it, the heir to the throne said
”Armistice Day is an important time to for us to stop and
reflect – it is a reminder that Remembrance is for
everyone.”
On Armistice Day, The King and Queen are hosting a reception at
Windsor Castle for VJ veterans.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of World War Two.
