Kate’s poignant gesture at Remembrance

It is one of the most poignant photos of this Remembrance. As
she chatted to a 100 year old veteran of World War Two, the
Princess of Wales knelt down to hear him more clearly and the image
proved powerful.

The future queen was meeting veterans after a special service at
the National Memorial Arboretum on Armistice Day. Kate had laid a
wreath during the ceremony and spent several moments in quiet
reflection with her head bowed before returning to her seat.

She also looked moved as a specially written poem was read out
during the service. ”A Sonnet for Us All”, by the National Memorial
Arboretum’s poet in residence, Arji Manuelpillai, reflected on
themes close to the heart of the Princess of Wales, including
personal connections and the bonds formed through military
service.

However, it was while meeting veterans that Kate did something
that spoke just as loudly as words.

While chatting to those who had fought for freedom, including
100 year old Donald Redston, the Princess knelt on the floor to be
able to chat more easily as several of the veterans use wheelchairs
now.

It provided a powerful image – a queen in waiting, bowing in
front of those who have fought for freedom.

It is one that echoed the actions of the Royal Family on the
first Armistice Day.

In 1918, as the guns finally fell silent after four years of
war, King George V and Queen Mary were determined to put the focus
on the families who had lost so much in the defence of freedom.

George V, who was also then Emperor of India, gave his full
backing to the idea of bringing back the remains of an Unknown
Soldier to be buried at Westminster Abbey as a way of remembering
all those who had given their lives for their country.

When the coffin of the Unknown Warrior was finally returned, the
king walked behind it through the streets of London, an unheard of
gesture before then. The words on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
include the quote ”they buried him among the kings because he had
done good toward God and toward his house.”

Queen Mary welcomed the first poppy sellers to Buckingham Palace
to show her support for what was a cottage industry of memorial
flowers made by wounded soldiers to raise funds for those who had
fought and who were now in need.

During World War One, her only daughter, Princess Mary, had
developed the idea of a special gift box that was to be sent to
every soldier and sailor who was serving at Christmas in 1914. It
was paid for by a public fundraising campaign.

The Princess of Wales, 111 years later, continued that focus on
the military and all who serve and the image of her kneeling before
them is a potent one.

On the same day, King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed VJ
veterans to Windsor Castle for a special reception.

The King and Queen had led commemorations in May for the 80th
anniversary of VE Day where they were joined by the Prince and
Princess of Wales. Prince George, now 12, also took part in the
special reception for veterans which was held afterwards at
Buckingham Palace.

The second in line to the throne also joined his mother, the
Princess of Wales, at the Royal British Legion Festival of
Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time this
year.

Meanwhile, Prince William addressed school children around the
country on Armistice Day when he delivered a special recorded
message in the RBL’s A