The Princess of Wales has led the nation as it fell silent at 11am to remember the war dead at an emotional event today. Kate was at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to mark Armistice Day, where she laid wreath for the first time and met the families of serving military personnel as well as veterans.
Kate, wearing a black hat and a long black coat with two poppies on the lapel, walked to the Armed Forces Memorial for the service, the first she has attended at the Arboretum, which she hailed as a “special” and “powerful” place for “personal reflection”. The crowd stood as she arrived to take her seat for the service, which featured a reading of a specially commissioned poem by the Arboretum’s poet in residence, Arji Manuelpillai.
During a 30-minute ceremony she had to use her right gloved hand regularly to prevent her headwear from blowing away and looked emotional, especially as the poem ‘A Sonnet For Us All’ was read.
The Last Post signalled the start of a national two-minute silence before the Kate was handed a wreath, adorned with the Prince of Wales feathers, to lay in the centre of the armed forces memorial.
Watched by the crowd, which included veterans and their families, Kate stepped forward to lay the large wreath before appearing to take a moment of reflection and then returning to her seat. A moving message written by Kate on the floral tribute read: “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them. Catherine.”
She bowed her head as the crowd prayed for those who had been affected by conflict, including members of the armed forces and civilians.
The service also included performances by Talent in the Ranks – a team of singers, songwriters and poets from the armed services. And the female cappella quintet called Black Voices sang Abide with Me. She sang along to the National Anthem God Save the King.
After the service of remembrance, the princess visited the memorial wall, where she was introduced to Squadron Leader Beth Long and her daughters Scarlett and Sophie – the family of Squadron Leader Mark Long who died in a Spitfire crash during Battle of Britain Memorial Flight duties in May 2024.
The plane crashed near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshre where Kate is Royal Honorary Air Commodore. Mr Long’s name is the most recent to be engraved on the wall.
Kate spoke to the family for around five minutes before meeting Bosnia veteran Johnny Hayes, who spent 23 years in the Royal Military Police.
Staff Sgt Jonny Hayes, who served 23 years in the Royal Military Police, showed Kate the list of Brits who were killed in Bosnia during the conflict in the 1990s. Kate told him: “It’s a memorial but its a place of personal reflection for people.” She added: “It’s so raw, it brings it all home to everybody.”
She also held onto her hat in the breeze as she made her way down the steps and away from the memorial. She was met by Hayley Lawrence, a Royal Army Medical Corps veteran, and Steve Cartwright, a Royal Engineers veteran, and chatted to them as she walked back to the main buildings.
During their chat, she touched Mr Cartwright’s arm and laughed with the pair before she waved and smiled at the crowd who took photographs as she passed by.
She also had the opportunity to view a special exhibition currently on display at the Arboretum, Letters from the Frontline – Words, War and Victory.
The exhibition was produced in partnership with BBC radio stations across the Midlands and shares the changing experiences and emotions of Armed Forces Personnel and their families during 1945, throughout the final months of the Second World War, through a selection of moving correspondence.
The princess was given flowers as she met pupils from Newport Girls’ High School. She also met D-Day veterans Alan Kennett and Geoffrey Spencer and VE and VJ Day veteran Donald (Bill) Redstone. She posed for a picture with each of them after chatting with their families.
Greeting 101-year-old D-Day veteran Mr Kennett, she said: “We meet again.” Speaking to him about war memories, she said: “George will be very jealous.” She added: “These stories bring it all home to all those children.”
She told Mr Spencer, who flew a Lancaster Bomber, that eldest son Prince George likes to make AirFix models, including those of the Second World War aircraft.
Kate said: “George very much likes Airfix models and the Lancaster Bomber and he knows much more about aircraft than me.” His son-in-law Will Clarke said to Kate: “As you know,it’s all about family. Credit to you and Will.”
She held the hand of 100-year-old Donald ‘Bill’ Redston, Royal Navy Veteran of VE Day, as they chatted warmly. Kate told him: “When I think I haven’t been here before but there’s the National Memorial and there’s the personal stories that I take away today. It’s a special place.” She said: “It’s very nice to meet you thank you for sharing some of your stories now keep fit
Meanwhile on leaving the venue, Kate made an unplanned stop to greet members of the public who had gathered to see her. Josephine Bradburn, 72, who celebrated her birthday on Friday, said it was a “fantastic birthday present” to meet Kate.
She said she asked the princess how she was, and commented that the arboretum was a lovely place. Mrs Bradburn said she was “shaking” after talking with the royal.
It comes as the whole of the Royal Family are out in force today to mark Remembrance Day – a poignant date in the royal calendar. Prince William has taken part in a video message to mark Armistice Day, telling young people about the importance of wearing a red poppy and that “remembrance is for everyone”.
William’s message to children across the UK was played out at the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Assembly this morning. The virtual event brings together children aged 9-14 in schools, libraries, home education, and other learning settings across the UK. In his message, the prince said: “Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect – it is a reminder that remembrance is for everyone.
“When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way. We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward, so they are not forgotten.
“It’s not just about the past – it’s about shaping who we become in the future. Remembrance teaches us empathy, resilience, and responsibility. And when we wear a red poppy or take a moment of silence, we are saying, ‘Thank you. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget’.”
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla marked Armistice Day today by jumping onboard a train as she took part in a ‘Poppies to Paddington’ initiative.
Camilla took the 9.28am service from Chippenham in Wiltshire to Paddington in London alongside stunned commuters to lay a wreath on Platform 1. Poppies to Paddington began during the November 2020 Covid lockdown as a way of marking the annual commemorations of the nation’s war dead.
In partnership with The Veterans Charity, wreaths are placed on early morning train services from more than 60 stations, arriving in London for a special Remembrance Day service.
It has since become a key annual event across the Great Western Railway (GWR) network to honour those lost in conflict. At Chippenham, which is the closest station to Queen Camilla’s private Wiltshire home, Ray Mill, she met members of the local community and executives from Great Western Railway with their wreaths on Platform 2.
She was also given a sweet wreath made from crocheted poppies by children from Monckton Primary School to take to London with her.
The youngsters told her that they had spent six weeks making it, many having never crocheted before. En route the train stopped at Swindon Station, with local dignitaries bringing on board several more wreaths to be taken to London.
‘I’m not sure where we are going to put all of these but we will take good care of them. It’s my pleasure. We will decorate the seats,’ the Queen remarked and she took charge of them.
On arriving at Paddington, Camilla walked down to Platform 1’s permanent war memorial for a moving service. The Call to Remembrance was read and the Last Post played, followed by the traditional two minute’s silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. After the Reveille, the Military Wives Choir performed the song ‘Poppy Red’, before Her Majesty lays a wreath in front of the memorial.
Later tonight, the King, Queen, William, Prince Edward and the Duchess of Gloucester will host reception at Windsor Castle for veterans who served in the Second World War in the Pacific and their families in honour of the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne is marking Armistice Day and laid a wreath at the 7 Combat Signal Regiment Memorial on a visit to Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane as part of her trip to Australia.
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