Folly with a brolly
Boris Johnson came off second best as he wrestled with his umbrella at the unveiling of a memorial for police officers at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. The Prince of Wales paid tribute to the ‘valour and sacrifice’ of officers who had died in the line of duty. The Prime Minister, the Prince and Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, laid wreaths
THE Prince of Wales paid tribute to the “valour and sacrifice” of police officers as a national memorial was unveiled to those who have “laid down their lives to keep us safe”.
Standing in the shadow of the new UK Police Memorial, the Prince expressed thanks to the 5,000 men and women who have died in the line of duty since the Bow Street Runners were formed in 1749.
Bereaved police families attended the event at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffs, alongside chief constables from across the country,
The Prince told guests: “On behalf of the nation, I would particularly like to express my profound gratitude for the valour and sacrifice of those who have
‘I pray this memorial gives reassurance that those who have given their lives so selflessly won’t be forgotten’
laid down their lives to keep us safe, to remember their families who mourn, and to recognise those who continue to serve in order to safeguard our freedoms.
“Whilst our expressions of appreciation will always be hopelessly inadequate and, unfortunately, make the anguish no easier to bear, I do pray that this memorial will not only provide a hallowed place for us all to pay tribute to each of them, but also the reassurance that those who have given their lives so selflessly will leave a lasting legacy and will never be forgotten.”
The ceremony began with a fly past by the National Police Air Service before a performance by operatic singer Katherine Jenkins. The Prince laid a wreath at the site as did Boris Johnson and Priti Patel, the Home Secretary. In a video message, the Prime Minister said it takes “a very special kind of person” to be a police officer. The 40ft brass memorial with leaf-shaped apertures representing courage, sacrifice and lives lost, was designed by Walter Jack.