The Prince of Wales has laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey as commemorations for all those killed in war took place on Armistice Day.
Prince Charles, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, paid his respects at a special ceremony held at the Abbey, exactly one hundred years after the Warrior was buried there. The royal wreath was based on the one left by King George V during the burial of the Warrior. The Duchess placed her own posy of flowers on the Tomb at the end of the service.
(BBC screen grab/ fair use)
The couple arrived at the Abbey just before 11am and observed the national silence as millions across the UK remembered those who have given their lives for their country. They then joined the Prime Minister and other politicians and dignitaries for the service of remembrance which included a special performance of ‘Abide with Me’ by Ruby Turner and an address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
The Prince of Wales also read from the Gospel of St. John.;“greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
The union flag which had covered the coffin of the Unknown Warrior was placed on the altar at the Abbey. The flag belonged to David Railton, the padre who had the idea of burying an unknown soldier at Westminster to represent all those killed during the First World War. Padre Railton had used the flag to cover makeshift altars during his time on the Western Front.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex attended a Remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Armistice Day. Prince Edward laid a wreath while Sophie placed flowers in an act of remembrance. The Countess of Wessex also gave a reading.
Armistice Day marks the anniversary of the end of World War One and has been, since then, a time of remembrance for all those who gave their lives for their country.
