A service commemorating the bravery of Belgian forces in World War One has been held in London.
The annual ceremony saw British and Belgian troops march through the capital for the Remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph followed by a wreath laying service at Horse Guards Parade.
The Belgian Ambassador to the UK Bruno van der Pluijm and Admiral Michel Hofman, the Belgian Chief of Defence, joined the UK Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, in central London, to lead the act of remembrance.
The service also saw a large march past in London in honour of those who gave their lives. The Band of the Irish Guards were joined by 250 Belgian veterans and serving military personnel and 100 British cadets and veterans.
The service has taken place every summer since 1934. It was begun by King George V who wanted to remember the bravery of the Belgian forces who had fought in World War One.
George V was inspired to start the service on the death of King Albert I of the Belgians whose role leading his country in World War One had been integral to the success of his troops and those of the Allied Forces. Albert was killed in a climbing accident in February 1934 and, soon afterwards, George developed the plans for a memorial ceremony every July, commemorating the efforts of the king and all those who fought for Belgium. It takes place on the Sunday before Belgium’s National Day which falls on July 21.
Belgium is the only non-Commonwealth country to be allowed to hold such a service in London and to be allowed to march its troops in uniform and carrying arms through the UK capital.
The service is now seen as a public demonstration of the strong bonds between British and Belgian military.
