It is one of the most poignant photos of this Remembrance. As she chatted to a 100 year old veteran of World War Two, the Princess of Wales knelt down to hear him more clearly and the image proved powerful.
The future queen was meeting veterans after a special service at the National Memorial Arboretum on Armistice Day. Kate had laid a wreath during the ceremony and spent several moments in quiet reflection with her head bowed before returning to her seat.
She also looked moved as a specially written poem was read out during the service. ”A Sonnet for Us All”, by the National Memorial Arboretum’s poet in residence, Arji Manuelpillai, reflected on themes close to the heart of the Princess of Wales, including personal connections and the bonds formed through military service.
(Kensington Palace Instagram still/ fair use)
However, it was while meeting veterans that Kate did something that spoke just as loudly as words.
While chatting to those who had fought for freedom, including 100 year old Donald Redston, the Princess knelt on the floor to be able to chat more easily as several of the veterans use wheelchairs now.
It provided a powerful image – a queen in waiting, bowing in front of those who have fought for freedom.
It is one that echoed the actions of the Royal Family on the first Armistice Day.
In 1918, as the guns finally fell silent after four years of war, King George V and Queen Mary were determined to put the focus on the families who had lost so much in the defence of freedom.
George V, who was also then Emperor of India, gave his full backing to the idea of bringing back the remains of an Unknown Soldier to be buried at Westminster Abbey as a way of remembering all those who had given their lives for their country.
When the coffin of the Unknown Warrior was finally returned, the king walked behind it through the streets of London, an unheard of gesture before then. The words on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior include the quote ”they buried him among the kings because he had done good toward God and toward his house.”
Queen Mary welcomed the first poppy sellers to Buckingham Palace to show her support for what was a cottage industry of memorial flowers made by wounded soldiers to raise funds for those who had fought and who were now in need.
(Kensington Palace/ Instagram)
During World War One, her only daughter, Princess Mary, had developed the idea of a special gift box that was to be sent to every soldier and sailor who was serving at Christmas in 1914. It was paid for by a public fundraising campaign.
The Princess of Wales, 111 years later, continued that focus on the military and all who serve and the image of her kneeling before them is a potent one.
On the same day, King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed VJ veterans to Windsor Castle for a special reception.
The King and Queen had led commemorations in May for the 80th anniversary of VE Day where they were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince George, now 12, also took part in the special reception for veterans which was held afterwards at Buckingham Palace.
The second in line to the throne also joined his mother, the Princess of Wales, at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time this year.
Meanwhile, Prince William addressed school children around the country on Armistice Day when he delivered a special recorded message in the RBL’s A
