PRINCE OF TRIBUTES
Prince Charles has led Remembrance Sunday tributes to the country’s fallen war heroes, taking on additional Royal duties to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the Queen. In a break from tradition, she had watched from a balcony with the Duke of Edinburgh.
A MOMENT of reflection to honour the country’s war dead saw the nation fall silent for a poignant ceremony led formally for the first time by The Prince of Wales.
Prince Charles, in a break from tradition while the Queen was at the Whitehall service, had been asked to lay a wreath on her behalf for the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph yesterday.
A sombre hush had fallen over crowds ahead of the two-minute silence at 11am, before wreaths were laid at the foot of the memorial by senior royals and political leaders, watched by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
“This time of year should remind us that our way of life is only made possible by the bravery of the men and women who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe,” said Prime Minister Theresa May. “We should also take great pride in the way we come together as a nation to honour the fallen. “Today I pay tribute not just to our armed forces but also to those who stand alongside them in this small act of remembrance each and every year.” The Cenotaph ceremony, primary of the nation’s events, led the country in remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The firing of a gun marked the end of the silence, and The Last Post was sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines before the wreaths were laid. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Remembrance Sunday is an opportunity for both the nation and our armed forces to remember all those that have given so much in the service of Great Britain. We must not forget the continued sacrifice our armed forces make right across the globe serving in 30 countries, making sure that this country remains safe and that the freedoms that we have today continue to be protected.” Other political figures laying wreaths included Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Lib Dem leader Vince Cable, and Commons Speaker John Bercow.
Joining the Queen on the Foreign Office balconies were the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex, Princess Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
While Prince Charles has acted on her behalf in such matters while she has been abroad, this is the first time he has formally led while the Queen has been present. It has been seen as an example of the subtle shift of head of state duties from the Queen to the heir to the throne. Philip’s equerry laid his wreath, while Charles also laid his own wreath.
The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent also laid wreaths.
This year marks the centenaries of women’s service in the regular armed forces, the Battle of Passchendaele and the creation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, as well as the 100th birthday of forces’ sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn. It also marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein and the creation of the RAF Regiment.
Among those paying their respects was Regimental Sergeant Major Kevin Stacey, 40, who serves with The Black Watch 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Three generations of his family have served in the Black Watch, and together with his father, uncle and grandfather, they have amassed 115 years of service.
“I’m very proud and very privileged to be stood here today, certainly to remember those who have fallen,” he said. “And more importantly those people who are veterans today and who are still serving, so it’s important to remember. And also all the Commonwealth soldiers who have served as well, lest we not forget about them.”
After the ceremony, thousands of veterans from the Second World War, and more recent conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan, marched past the Cenotaph.
We should take pride in the way we come together as a nation Prime Minister Theresa May