This year Remembrance Sunday was marked in a different way, due to coronavirus. But it did not reduce the significance of it, indeed it heightened its significance if anything. The two main events that the Royal Family attend to lead the nation's remembrance still happened, in socially distanced ways.
The Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance still took place at the Royal Albert Hall on the evening of Saturday 7th November. No audience was present, and the festival was pre-recorded in sections to allow for social distancing. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended the event, representing the Royal Family and the nation. Usually, the extended royal family come out in force to attend the event. The festival featured readings of war veterans diaries and accounts, read by actors such as Samantha Morton. Bands from the Armed Forces played music, and other singers performed. Relatives of those who lost their lives in action were interviewed to tell their story. The role of the military during the covid-19 pandemic was also explored. Captain Sir Tom Moore was interviewed about his fundraising efforts during the pandemic, and also what remembrance means to him.
The Prince of Wales gave a speech saying, "heroes and heroines are all around us and take many forms," adding that the coronavirus pandemic, "has afforded us a keener perspective," on the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. He said, "We could not come together for VE Day or VJ Day as we had so dearly hoped but they were nonetheless cherished occasions to remember the sacrifice of those who served in whichever theatre of war. In this challenging year, we have perhaps come to realise that the freedoms for which they fought are more precious than we knew, and that the debt we owe them is even greater than we imagined."
To conclude, the Prince said, "We have seen, too, how much the wartime generation continues to teach us. The actions of veterans, Captain Sir Tom Moore and Private Joseph Hammond, or of Margaret Payne, and many others like them, offer a shining example of selfless commitment, and of how even those in their later years can achieve so much good by placing others ahead of themselves. Their example continues to guide our servicemen and women today. Throughout this pandemic, our armed forces have stood side by side with our medical professionals, key workers and emergency services in the fight against coronavirus, whilst maintaining the defence of our nation at home and abroad." I think his words are very poignant and helped us to focus on how to remember during these times.
The Duchess of Cornwall also spoke, in her role as Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Naval Medical Service. She said, “Military nurses have worked alongside their NHS colleagues across the United Kingdom, using the skills learnt in conflict in the battle against Covid. You have been at the very epicentre of the nation's response to the pandemic, providing a critical line of defence with compassion and dignity, and bringing hope and healing to so many.”
As is tradition, the poppies fell from the roof of the Royal Albert Hall during the 2 minutes silence. The number of representatives that parade into the centre of the hall before the silence, was reduced, but all aspects of the Navy, Army, and Air Force were still represented.
On Remembrance Sunday itself, a televised service at the Cenotaph was still held, albeit with no public spectators, and reduced numbers. One band, rather than the massed bands, played. Following the 2 minutes silence, wreaths were laid by the Royal Family. The Prince of Wales laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen, who watched from a balcony alongside a lady-in-waiting. Also watching from the balconies were the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Wessex, and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh. Then the Prince of Wales laid his own wreath, followed by the Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Wessex, Princess Royal, and Duke of Kent laying their wreaths. Notably absent this year were the Duke of Sussex, and Duke of York, who have both stepped down from official royal duties, for various reasons. After a short service and hymn, and the national anthem, politicians laid wreaths. 5 representatives of the usual 40 high commissioners of Commonwealth countries laid wreaths, as did representatives of other organisations. Just 26 veterans marched past, representing the usual 10,000.
Earlier that week the Queen paid a visit to Westminster Abbey, and laid a bouquet on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, who represents all the deceased servicemen and women whose bodies never made it home, and who could not be identified. 2020 marks 100 years since the interment of the Unknown Warrior. The Queen wore a facemask for this private visit.
Also earlier that week, the Duchess of Cornwall placed a cross at the Westminster Field of Remembrance, taking over the role from the Duke of Sussex, since he stepped down from royal duties. The last post was played, as the Duchess paid tribute to the servicemen and women who gave their lives.
On actual Remembrance Day, the 11th day of the 11th month, the date that the First World War ended in 1918, a service was held in Westminster Abbey. This date was the 100th Anniversary of the interment of the Unknown Warrior. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall attended the service, which was socially distanced with those attending, including their royal highness's, wearing face masks. During the service, The Prince of Wales spoke to those assembled, and also laid a replica wreath of the one laid by King George V in 1920 when the body was interred, made of red roses and bay leaf. The Duchess of Cornwall lay a posy. It is this continuity of the royal family being one family, working down the generations, that I think makes them so impactful. The interment was attended by the Prince’s great-grandfather, and now he is marking the 100th anniversary.
Also on 11th November, the Duke of Cambridge held a video call with those currently serving and deployed around the world with the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and British Army, and spoke to them about the importance of remembrance, and what it means to them. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge held a video call with armed forces families who have lost loved ones, about the importance of remembrance, and the help and support they give each other, and receive from organisations such as The Royal British Legion.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex marked the occasion by visiting the Armed Forces Memorial in Staffordshire, and laying a wreath as well as holding a 2 minutes silence. Their royal highness's inspected and read the names on the memorial.
I think it was great that these events could go ahead. It represented the spirit of wartime that we have seen during this pandemic. The royal family continue to be a figurehead and focus.