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The Sussexes

GALLERY: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Fields of Remembrance

For almost a century, members of the Royal Family have paid tribute to those who have lost their lives fighting for their country by attending the Fields of Remembrance. Rows of crosses and poppies spring up in November at churches across the United Kingdom to remember those who have died in service of their nation. This year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the commemoration at Westminster Abbey.

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The Duchess of Cornwall was also due to attend the event but was told to rest by doctors after a chest infection she has been suffering from became worse.

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The Duke of Sussex was the first to place his cross amongst the tributes. The Duchess of Sussex then stepped forward to plant her own poppy while the Duchess of Cornwall’s cross was placed for her. The Last Post was played as part of the short service of commemoration.

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Harry and Meghan then met many of the veterans attending the event as well as serving military personnel and supporters of the Royal British Legion.

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This is the seventh year that the Duke of Sussex has attended the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. For several years, Prince Harry visited to pay tribute alongside his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh. It’s the first time that Meghan has attended this special event.

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The Fields of Remembrance trace their roots back to 1928 when the Poppy Factory took a group of veterans to the grounds of St. Margaret’s Church at Westminster. There, they planted a few poppies around a wooden cross. The tradition caught the public imagination and now Fields of Remembrance are held across the country including in Belfast, Cardiff and Gateshead.

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The whole Royal Family will continue to pay tribute over Remembrance weekend. On Saturday, the Queen will lead them at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. On Remembrance Sunday, Her Majesty will oversee the ceremony at the Cenotaph from a balcony overlooking the monument. Her wreath, given on behalf of the nation, will be laid by the Prince of Wales.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.