Kate Middleton (right) and Queen Camilla at the Remembrance Day service in London on Sunday.Photo:Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com
Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com
Kate MiddletonandQueen Camillastood in solemn salute at one of the most important events in the royal calendar.
The royal women joined members of the royal family, politicians, service personnel and veterans gathered in London to remember those who died or suffered during wartime on Remembrance Sunday.
On a balcony above The Cenotaph war memorial in England’s capital, the Princess of Wales, 41, took her spot alongside Queen Camilla, 76, to watch as their husbands,Prince William, 41, and King Charles, 74,laid wreaths at the memorialduring the service.
The National Service of Remembrance — which also included a two-minute moment of silence at 11 a.m. local time on Remembrance Sunday — is an annual ceremony which always takes place the second weekend of November. It honors those from the U.K. and Commonwealth nations who died in wars.
Prince William at the Remembrance Day service in London on Sunday.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
At its center is the laying of wreaths made ofbright red poppies. The flower has been used since 1921 as a symbol to commemorate military members who have died in wars.
Princess Kate watches the service in London on Sunday.Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com
William — wearing his distinctive red-collared Officer’s Cloak of The Blues and Royals, in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel — then stepped forward laid the wreath of the Prince of Wales at the memorial.
The wreath featured a new ribbon in Welsh red. William placed his tribute, took a few steps backward and made a salute with his white-gloved hand.
Watching from the balcony above, Princess Kate wore a cluster of poppies and a Royal Air Force pin on her black coat.
King Charles lays his wreath at the Cenotaph in Central London on Sunday.Kin Cheung - WPA Pool/Getty
Kin Cheung - WPA Pool/Getty
The ceremony had begun earlier when the royal family arrived after a procession that included serving Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his living priministerial predecessors as well as the representatives of around 20 different faiths and the heads of the armed forces. There were also around 50 High Commissioners from across the Commonwealth.
Then, the royal party and the veterans stood quietly as Big Ben a couple of hundred yards away, chimed on the hour signaling the start of the two-minute silence.
Queen Camilla on the balcony watching the service on Sunday.Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com
Remembrance Sunday is the centerpiece of several events to commemorate those who have fought and died or been injured in conflicts around the world. Military leaders, veterans and current service members took part in the poignant memorial in London. Other events took place around the U.K. as the country came to a standstill in tandem with the silent two-minute memorial in central London.
The event came after Saturday’s Festival of Remembrance, whichsaw the royal family gather at the Royal Albert Hallfor an evening of music and commemorations. At that moving, poignant occasion, Charlesunveiled statuesto his late parents,Queen ElizabethandPrince Philip.
King Charles III during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on November 12, 2023 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty
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Meanwhile, across the Atlantic,Meghan MarkleandPrince Harrytook part in events to mark the Veterans Day weekend.
On Wednesday, the couple went to San Diego for a series of events surrounding military personnel. Afterspending the morning at Camp Pendleton, they took part in thegrand opening of the Navy SEAL Foundation’s Warrior Fitness Program West Coast facility.
CEO of the Navy SEAL Foundation Robin King told PEOPLE exclusively that the couple was “absolutely fantastic. They haddone a lot of homeworkon the Navy SEAL Foundation, on the program.”
Members of the Royal Family in solemn silence at the memorial on Remembrance Sunday.Chris Jackson/Getty
She added that Meghan, 42, and Harry, 39, “came prepared, and they were extremely interested in knowing what the program did, what it was going to do and how it’s going to impact the community.”
On Thursday, Prince Harry wasnamed the global ambassador for a charityin the U.K. that supports young people who are bereaved after losing a military parent, Scotty’s Little Soldiers.
source: people.com
