Why HM is ditching her traditional 12lb wreath

As ever, it will be the Queen who leads the nation in tribute to all Britain’s war dead next week, as she has always done on the second sunday in November.

But this year there will a radical break with tradition.

Her Majesty has always laid the first wreath since she became Queen in 1952, but on this occasion it will be much lighter than usual, to take account of her advanced years.

Her traditional remembrance Day poppy wreath, right, usually weighs in at 12lb, I’m told, and is made with hardboard, broom and crepe paper.

‘It was felt that at the age of 90 she might be grateful for a lighter wreath,’ says my man with the poppy pin.

It is one of a number of changes that have been introduced in recent times.

The traditional service was made shorter last year, out of respect for the increasing years of the decreasing number of veterans able to take part in the parade, as well as limiting the amount of time that the Queen and the Duke of edinburgh would have to stand out in inclement weather. There were also proposals last November to make Opposition party leaders lay wreaths in unison rather than separately in order to save time. However, this idea was scrapped after it was thought unfair that the Prime Minister should retain the right to do so alone. Last year the event was overshadowed by the antics of Jeremy Corbyn who was accused of disrespecting Britain’s war dead after he gave a slight nod of the head rather than the traditional solemn bow. The pacifist Labour leader was accused of being ‘an embarrassment’. Buckingham Palace declines to comment.