King Charles led the nation in tribute on Remembrance Sunday, laying a wreath at the Cenotaph following two minutes of silence.
The King was dressed in the Field Marshal ceremonial frock coat uniform with a poppy and sword, and laid a wreath styled after those of his grandfather, King George VI. The King’s wreath featured 41 open-style fabric poppy petals on a bed of black leaves with a ribbon in his racing colours: scarlet, purple and gold.
King Charles entered the military in 1971, having received his Royal Air Force Wings from RAF Cranwell that March.
In September 1971, he began training at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth and followed up that six-week course with stints aboard the HMS Norfolk and other frigates.
He received his helicopter pilot qualifications in 1974 and completed his active military service in 1976 in the Royal Navy.
Now, as King, King Charles is head of the Armed Forces in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand; and holds many military appointments throughout the Commonwealth.
Ahead of Remembrance Sunday’s service, The Royal Family’s social media accounts shared a photo from the First World War and captioned it, “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.”
King Charles also led the Royal Family at last night’s Festival of Remembrance ceremony at Royal Albert Hall.
On 11 November, The King and Queen Camilla will host a reception at Windsor Castle to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Among the invited guests are veterans who served in the Pacific Theatre and their families. Their Majesties will be joined by The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Duchess of Gloucester.
