‘The Few’ remembered as Charles attends Battle of Britain service

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall joined war veterans at Westminster Abbey for a moving service to mark the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Prime Minister Theresa May, her husband Philip and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were among more than 2,000 people who gathered yesterday to remember the sacrifice of those involved in the 1940 air campaign.

Survivors of the Battle of Britain, dubbed “The Few”, were applauded by the congregation as they left, and Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum 0 Battle of Britain veterans watch the flypast in London admitted he had to “fight for self-control” during the emotional service.

The 96-year-old, who lives in Cornwall, said: “It gets more emotional for me each year. I’m not normally an emotional chap but escorting the Roll of Honour with that slow march with a slow drum beat... I have to fight for self-control a bit.”

The Duchess of Cornwall and Charles, who is patron of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association and a Marshal of the Royal Air Force, attended a reception at Church House near Westminster Abbey following the service. They watched a Hurricane and Spitfire flypast from the balcony with veterans before exchanging jokes and stories as the group had tea.

Mr Wellum said Camilla and Charles, who wore full RAF ceremonial dress, were “very” moved by the service.