‘We will remember them’: Princess of Wales’s touching tribute to the fallen at moving Armistice Day service – as the nation falls silent in memory of the war dead
The Princess of Wales wrote a touching tribute to the fallen as she led a moving Armistice Day service today.
Catherine, 43, arrived at the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire this morning.
Handwritten on a note and attached to a wreath, which she laid at the Armed Forces Memorial, the royal penned: ‘In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them. Catherine.’
The Princess, wearing a Jane Taylor Decima hat and military-style coat with two poppies on the lapel, looked solemn and deep in thought as she walked to service – the first she has attended at the Arboretum.
Poignant services were held across the country on the anniversary of the end of the First World War, as millions paid their respects to those who fought and died in military conflicts.
Queen Camilla jumped onboard a train from Chippenham, in Wiltshire, to London Paddington as she took part in a ‘Poppies to Paddington’ initiative to mark Armistice Day.
Meanwhile, the crowd stood as Kate arrived to take her seat for the service in Staffordshire, which featured a reading of a specially commissioned poem by the Arboretum’s poet in residence, Arji Manuelpillai.
The poem, which includes themes ‘close to The Princess’ heart’, reflects the importance of personal connections, experiences and bonds that are formed through military service, Kensington Palace said.
Kate participated in the traditional two minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. She then laid her wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial, before being invited to view newly-dedicated names inscribed on it.
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The Princess of Wales attends the Service of Remembrance to mark Armistice Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, today
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The Princess wears a long black coat and hat to the service as she pays her respects to the fallen
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Princess Catherine speaks with veterans after the Armistice Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum
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Kate holds hands with a veteran during her visit to the National Memorial Arboretum today
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Catherine wrote a touching tribute to the fallen which was attached to the wreath
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Catherine lays a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial today, which features a handwritten note
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Kate holds a large wreath adorned with flowers and featuring a handwritten note from the royal
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The Princess of Wales appears moved at the Armistice Day Service today
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A veteran appears emotional at Armistice Day in Bedworth, Warwickshire
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The Princess of Wales speaks to 101-year-old veteran Alan Kennett at the service in Alrewas, Staffordshire
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The Princess of Wales smiles as she walks down the stairs after the service to meet veterans
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Her Royal Highness kneels before Second World War veteran Geoff Spencer at the National Memorial Arboretum
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Kate holds onto her hat as she walks around during her visit to the National Memorial Arboretum
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After the service of remembrance, the Princess visits the memorial wall, where she speaks to veterans and their families
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The Princess of Wales gives a wave to the crowd as she leaves the service this afternoon
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Kate smiles as she holds a wreath embellished with stunning flowers and a note she wrote to honour the fallen
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Kate is invited to view newly-dedicated names inscribed on the memorial wall
Watched by the crowd, which included veterans and their families, Kate stepped forward to lay the large wreath before appearing to take a moment of reflection and then returning to her seat.
She bowed her head as the crowd prayed for those who had been affected by conflict, including members of the armed forces and civilians.
The service included performances by Talent in the Ranks – a team of singers, songwriters and poets from the armed forces.
After the service of remembrance, the Princess visited the memorial wall, where she was introduced to Squadron Leader Beth Long and her daughters Scarlett and Sophie – the family of Squadron Leader Mark Long who died in a Spitfire crash during Battle of Britain Memorial Flight duties in May 2024.
Mr Long’s name is the most recent to be engraved on the wall. Kate spoke to the family for around five minutes before meeting Bosnia veteran Johnny Hayes, who spent 23 years in the Royal Military Police.
She was then met by Hayley Lawrence, a Royal Army Medical Corps veteran, and Steve Cartwright, a Royal Engineers veteran, and chatted to them as she walked back to the main buildings.
Kate also joked with onlookers about her hat almost blowing off in the wind, saying: ‘I thought I was going to lose it at one time’, and thanked them when they asked her if she was well. ‘Yes I am,’ she replied.
The royal was given flowers as she met pupils from Newport Girls’ High School at the memorial.
She held the hand of VE and VJ Day veteran Donald (Bill) Redston as the 100-year-old told her about the keep-fit regime he credits for keeping him well.
Asked for his top tips by the royal, Mr Redston told Kate he used to run marathons, including the London Marathon when he was 65 and the New York Marathon when he was 66.
The Princess said the arboretum was a ‘special place’ and that she enjoyed hearing the personal experiences of veterans such as Mr Redston.
She also revealed that Prince George, 12, was a fan of World War II model airplanes.
This morning, Queen Camilla took the 9.28am service from Chippenham to Paddington alongside stunned commuters to lay a wreath on Platform 1.
The ‘Poppies to Paddington’ initiative began during the November 2020 Covid lockdown, as a way of marking the annual commemorations of the nation’s war dead.
In partnership with The Veterans Charity, wreaths are placed on early morning train services from more than 60 stations, arriving in London for a special Remembrance Day service.
It has since become a key annual event across the Great Western Railway (GWR) network to honour those lost the conflict.
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Princess Catherine speaks to other participants at the Service of Remembrance in Alrewas
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Her Royal Highness walks through the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum this morning
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Queen Camilla and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (right) at London Paddington train station as part of the Great Western Railway ‘Poppies to Paddington’ event to mark Armistice Day
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Camilla lays a wreath at London Paddington train station as part of the Great Western Railway ‘Poppies to Paddington’ event
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Camilla wears a dark green coat to the memorial service in Paddington, London
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A view of wreaths of poppies during the Western Front Association’s Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London, today
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Members of the UK Armed Forces during the Western Front Association’s Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall
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Defence Secretary John Healey (right) and Charles Garrett lay wreaths of poppies during the Western Front Association’s Armistice Day ceremony
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The Princess of Wales stands among veterans at the Service of Remembrance in Staffordshire
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Kate pairs her all-black look with a stylish pair of suede, pointed boots
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The Princess holds onto her hat during the service on Armistice Day on November 11
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The Princess of Wales looks deep in thought as she pays her respects to those who fought and lost their lives in conflict
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The Princess of Wales leaves after attending the Service of Remembrance to mark Armistice Day
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The Princess of Wales looks down as she attends the Service of Remembrance today
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The Princess of Wales stands back to view names inscribed on the memorial wall
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The Princess wears a large hat to match her military-style coat and black boots
Speaking of the poem selected for the service in Staffordshire, Poet Arji Manuelpillai said: ‘A Sonnet For Us All’ captures the stories etched into the hundreds of memorials within the National Memorial Arboretum, it invites people to listen, reflect and consider the emotion that was the inspiration for these sculptures.
‘I hope these words shine a light on the bonds and relationships that lay often hidden by the conflict. Those quiet acts of care, the friendships that endure, and the sense of duty that binds one generation to the next.
‘These human connections, and the gentle responsibility to carry love forward, are themes that resonate not only with me, but also with HRH The Princess of Wales, for whom the importance of service and compassion lies especially close to the heart.’
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The heartwarming Remembrance Day poem ‘close to Kate’s heart’
It comes as Catherine’s husband, the Prince of Wales, is also taking part in events virtually.
William, 43, has recorded a special video message for the Royal British Legion’s ‘Remembrance Assembly’.
Hosted by veteran and presenter JJ Chalmers, the Assembly took place between 10.25 -11.05am, bringing together young people aged 9-14 in schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK.
It has been designed to encourage young people to take part in Remembrance to honour veterans and others across the Armed Forces community in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
The Assembly has combined music, poetry, art and voices from across the Armed Forces community.
In his video message, the heir to the throne says: ‘Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect – it is a reminder that Remembrance is for everyone.
‘When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way. We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward, so they are not forgotten. It’s not just about the past – it’s about shaping who we become in the future.
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Catherine attends an Armistice Day service at The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in central England on November 11
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The Princess of Wales smiles as she attends the memorial service in Staffordshire
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The Princess looks emotional as she attends the service to pay her respects to the fallen
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Catherine lays a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial today, which features a handwritten note
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Kate’s wreath, which features flowers and a touching note from the royal
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The Princess of Wales wears her hair in a stunning updo for the memorial service
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The Princess is invited to view newly-dedicated names inscribed on the memorial wall
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Newcastle Central Station fell silent at 11am this morning as LNER Train staff and members of the public paid their respects
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The two-minute silence at Waterloo station, central London earlier today
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A service has also taken place in Edinburgh as people across the UK pay their respects
‘A Sonnet For Us All’ By Arji Manuelpillai
When you speak of our country, do not speak of war.
Speak of the nurse who held a hand like her own father’s,
A lieutenant who embraced a soldier like his own brother.
Remember, sometimes those who go into burning buildings
burn brighter than the fire inside. Those who rise from burning
buildings carry scars we cannot see. If you speak of this country
speak of the widow who never stopped waiting, the sailor
who kissed a photo till it turned to ash in his hands,
or the pilots who meet in the pub to talk of anything but war.
You see love is a compass, love is a bugle mourning.
Love is sacrificing tomorrow so that a stranger can live today.
So when you speak of this country, do not think of it as a place.
Think of it as a feeling, the feeling of being loved, the duty to pass
that love to whoever needs it.’
‘Remembrance teaches us empathy, resilience, and responsibility. And when we wear a red poppy or take a moment of silence, we are saying, ‘Thank you. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget.’
‘Through my own military experience, as well as through my work in connection with units across the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, I have seen firsthand the hard work, dedication and duty the Armed Forces carry out to ensure we are protected.
‘Coming together for Remembrance is a vital way to honour those whose service keeps us safe.’
He adds: ‘Even today, as we continue to face a number of conflicts across the world, we honour those who have gone before us, and those who are serving now.
‘Their memories matter, their lives matter, and they remind us to be respectful, kind, brave, and thoughtful every day.’
The virtual Assembly is open to participation by students aged 9-14 (Years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and can be viewed on YouTube or Zoom from schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK.
Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion said: ‘We’re honoured to welcome the Prince of Wales to this year’s Remembrance Assembly.
‘His contribution, alongside that of veterans and serving personnel, will encourage young people to take part in Remembrance and find their own connection to the Armed Forces community, past and present.’
The Assembly was set to hear directly from current serving military personnel RAF Air Commander Fred Wigglesworth and Army Lieutenant Colonel Manpreet Maycock, alongside first-hand testimony of Second World War veterans.
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The Princess of Wales takes part in a moving Armistice Day service featuring a specially-commissioned poem that is ‘close to her heart’ (pictured on Remembrance Sunday)
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William, 43, has recorded a special video message for the Royal British Legion’s ‘Remembrance Assembly’
These include 101-year-old George Durrant from West Sussex, who served in Burma from 1944 in the Intelligence Corps in the 14th Army – sometimes called ‘The Forgotten Army.’
Also taking part is Prince Albert Jacob, 100, who grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, but left aged 17 to join the Royal Air Force, travelling to the US and Britain to repair planes.
He still remembers the day the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender.
Mr Jacob was one of millions of soldiers from across the Commonwealth who served alongside the British Armed Forces in the Second World War and is now one of the few surviving Caribbean veterans.
