The United Kingdom and nations across the world paused today to mark Armistice Day, with senior members of the British Royal Family leading commemorative services.
The Princess of Wales, Catherine, attended a solemn Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. At precisely 11:00 GMT, the poignant sound of the Last Post signaled the start of a national two-minute silence, marking the moment World War One officially ended.
The Princess was seen reflecting as she laid a wreath at the centre of the Armed Forces Memorial, observed by a crowd including veterans and their families. She later bowed her head in prayer for those affected by global conflicts.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla was in London, travelling by train to Paddington Station to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony.
Royal Messages and International Commemorations
The commemorations extended beyond physical ceremonies. The Prince of Wales, William, delivered a powerful pre-recorded video message to young people (aged 9-14) across the UK, emphasizing the enduring importance of the red poppy and that “remembrance is for everyone.”
In his address, Prince William stressed the forward-looking aspect of remembrance: “When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way… It’s not just about the past – it’s about shaping who we become in the future. Remembrance teaches us empathy, resilience and responsibility.”
Internationally, the Royal Family was also represented, with The Princess Royal, Anne, visiting Australia. Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, were at Brisbane’s Gallipoli Barracks where she laid a wreath and met with current and former armed forces personnel and their families.
In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron attended a wreath-laying ceremony on the Champs-Elysees to mark the anniversary of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month armistice signing.
A Specially Commissioned Poem
The service in Staffordshire also featured the reading of a specially-commissioned work by the arboretum’s poet in residence, Arji Manuelpillai. His poem, A Sonnet For Us All, was written to “capture the stories etched into the hundreds of memorials” within the arboretum, focusing on “human connections, and the gentle responsibility to carry love forward.”
Later today, the commemorations will continue as Prince William joins King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle for a reception honoring veterans who served in the Pacific during the Second World War. The event, also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester, marks the ongoing 80th-anniversary commemorations of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day).
