Prince Edward cut a stoic figure as he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate Britain’s fallen soldiers on Remembrance Sunday.
Dressed in the uniform of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry, the Nation’s Reserve Armored Regiment, the Duke of Edinburgh, 60, shared a heartfelt tribute to the British war dead as he laid the large wreath covered in red poppies.
Edward, who has been the royal honorary colonel of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry for 20 years, had added a note saying: “To remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, especially members of the Voluntary Reserve Forces and in this year to the volunteers who died at Monte Cassino, D-Day, Kohima, Imphal and Scheldt.
The note, signed ‘Edward, 2024’, recalled a series of horrific battles that took place 80 years ago in 1944, a year before the end of World War II.
The Battle of Monte Cassino, also known as the Battle of Rome, took place between January and May 1944 and resulted in 55,000 Allied casualties, while D-Day, also known as the Normandy Landings, took place on June 6, 1944. and it’s still the biggest. Maritime invasion of history.
Prince Edward (pictured) cut a stoic figure at the Cenotaph today for the Remembrance Sunday service
He attached a moving note promising to “remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice” to the crown he laid.
Other members of the Royal Family also left moving tributes to the British servicemen and women who died as they commemorated Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph.
King Charles and Prince William left tributes to fallen heroes alongside Conservative party and government leaders Kemi Badenoch and Sir Keir Starmer to mark the armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving the forces British and Commonwealth.
At the Royal British Legion Veterans Parade, 10,000 veterans, representing 326 different armed forces and civil organisations, paraded in front of the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
King Charles, who appeared emotional as he solemnly saluted the stone monolith, left a message on his crown that read: “In grateful memory of your service and sacrifice.”
The Queen was absent from today’s ceremony to ensure she makes a full recovery from a chest infection and to protect others from any risk.
The Duke of Edinburgh was seen today laying a wreath at the cenotaph alongside other senior royals and politicians.
Prince Edward, 60, who holds eight military positions, wore a military-style coat with epaulets.
Wreaths left after the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London
King Charles left a message on his crown that read: “In grateful memory of your service and sacrifice.”
Camilla left a message on her crown that read: “In eternal memory”
The Prince of Wales left a message on his crown that read: “In memory of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.” We will remember them
Sir Keir Starmer left a message on his crown that read: “To the immortal memory of those who gave their lives for us all.”
Kemi Badenoch left a message on her wreath that read: “We will never forget the incredible courage and bravery of the British military men and women, who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms today.” We will always remember them’
King Charles, the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal join veterans and dignitaries at the Cenotaph
More wreaths after the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London
King Charles seemed moved as he looked solemnly towards the cenotaph in remembrance.
Kemi Badenoch and Prime Minister Keir Starmer carry wreaths to lay at the Cenotaph
In his place, his senior squire Oliver Plunkett laid his crown at the Remembrance Service.
In a simple message, he had written: “In eternal memory.”
And the Prince of Wales added: ‘In memory of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We will remember them
Thousands of people lined Whitehall for the annual event, including a two-minute silence at 11am, while the current Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, joined eight former prime ministers – a record number – in laying wreaths.
Sir Keir hand-wrote a small message to the remembered heroes, saying: “To the immortal memory of those who gave their lives for us all.”
And Kemi Badenoch left a message on her wreath which read: “We will never forget the incredible courage and bravery of the British military men and women, who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms today.”
And he added in capital letters: “We will always remember them.”
Camilla, 77, pulled out of an Olympic and Paralympic reception at the Palace and the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey earlier this week after developing the seasonal respiratory virus following her long tour of Australia and Samoa and its rest in a spa in India. .
King Charles and Prince William were among those in the capital who observed two minutes of silence at 11am to honor those who died in the conflict.
The Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh joined their family in the gesture of respect, waving towards the cenotaph.
Second World War veterans Alec Penstone and Mervyn Kersh were among those taking part in the Horse Guards parade before the Royal British Legion march past the Cenotaph today.
Military veterans gathered in Whitehall, central London, for the cenotaph service.
Poppy wreaths have been worn for the Royal British Legions march past the Cenotaph.
Commenting on Remembrance weekend, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said “the courage and sacrifice of so many people down the generations” unites the country on Remembrance Day “in a spirit of the deepest gratitude and I respect”.
And Defense Secretary John Healey said it was a “duty” to “educate future generations about their courage and commitment to defending Britain”.