Every year, the royal family lead the nation in remembering all those who died and suffered in the two world wars, and all subsequent conflicts. 2018 was no exception. Many members of the royal family gathered at the Cenotaph, in London’s Whitehall, which is the national monument of remembrance. As is tradition, members of the royal family are joined by members of parliament, different faith groups, and representatives of the armed forces. Veterans and their families also take part. The event begins with the various different participants assembling around the Cenotaph; until last year the Queen was the centre of the event, but in 2017 decided to ask the Prince of Wales to lead the event. The Queen now watches from a balcony, accompanied by other members of the royal family who do not lay wreaths. This year marked the first year the Duchess of Sussex joined in the event. She was joined on the balcony by the Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of York, Countess of Wessex, and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. The wife of the President of Germany was also on the balcony this year.
As Big Ben chimes 11am, a single gunshot is fired at horse guards parade. The nation is silent for two minutes. Remembrance day is the 11th November, and the silence is held at 11am, because the first world war ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Remembrance Sunday occurs on the nearest Sunday to the 11th, although in this year, 2018, the 11th November fell on a Sunday. The two minutes silence ends with a round of gunfire, and the bugle call, ‘The Last Post,’ which is the traditional call of remembrance. The Prince of Wales (on behalf of the Queen) lays the first wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph. He walks forward, places it, salutes, and walks backwards, facing the Cenotaph, as a mark of respect, as do all those laying wreaths. He then re-takes his position. He was followed this year by the President of Germany, as this year marks 100 years since the end of the first world war. A wreath was laid on behalf of the duke of Edinburgh too. The Prince of Wales then laid his own wreath, and members of the royal family followed, including the Duke of Cambridge, Duke of Sussex, Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent, and Prince Michael of Kent.
Then the Prime Minister, Theresa May, laid her wreath, followed by other members of Parliament, including the leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn. Representatives of different faith groups followed, along with representatives of the armed forces. High Commissioners of the commonwealth also represent their nations.
A short Christian service is led by the Bishop of London, and hymns are sung, led by the choir. Prayers are said for those who have lost loved ones, and asking God’s peace to reign in the world. I like this aspect of the day, as it points to the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made, and means we have a God who understands what death and sacrifice are like; he can sympathise.
I am a huge fan of tradition, as it roots us and helps us keep stable. Having the Queen and the royal family as a figurehead help us when we hold occasions like remembrance, to be a focal point. Remembering the war dead is significant as it allows us to be grateful, and mindful to not make the mistakes our predecessors did, to be peaceful, loving, and accepting of others. To reconcile.
After the national anthem, the royal family depart. Each year one member of the royal family stays to take the salute, and this year the Princess Royal took the salute.
Veterans and representatives of organisations such as the Cadets, St John’s Ambulance, Help for Heroes, and other charities march past the Cenotaph, and their wreaths are laid.
The evening before Remembrance Sunday, the royals attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, in the Royal Albert Hall. Traditionally, most of the working royal family attend. This year, the Queen was accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. The Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament also attended. The festival includes stories of past and more recent conflicts, interviews, performances, and music from various military bands. This year Sir Tom Jones, Sheridan Smith, Sir Bryn Terfel, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the Kingdom Choir took part, with music by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and the Band of HM Royal Marines.
The Duke of Cambridge presented a video that paid tribute to Headley Court, a place where soldiers rehabilitate after injury, and is closing its doors after years of helping injured servicemen. A new purpose built facility is being opened to continue the work.
Towards the end, representatives of the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Cadets, Civilian Services, Scouts, Royal British Legion, other organisations, and different Christian denominations, gather together. The book of remembrance is carried in, this year by a representative of Headley Court. A short service, including hymns, prayers and readings, is led by the chaplain to the Royal British Legion, and representatives from different Christian denominations also take part. Everyone, including the Queen and the royal family, gave a standing ovation as they enter.
The poem, “They shall not grow old,” was cited this year by Air Marshal David Walker, President of the Royal British Legion.
The Last Post plays. Two minutes silence is held as poppies descend from the roof, landing on all those assembled. Bugles play to end the silence. Another hymn is sung as the torch of remembrance enters, this year carried by Flight-Lieutenant Matthew Smith. The armed forces members that are assembled give three cheers for the Queen to end the festival.
Members of the royal family attended other remembrance events on 11th November too. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended a Service at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, to mark the Centenary of the signing of the Armistice. The Princess Royal attended the Scotland Commemorative Service for the Centenary of the First Armistice in Glasgow Cathedral. The Earl and Countess of Wessex attended the Welsh National Service of Thanksgiving to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff. That evening Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent attended a Service to mark the Centenary of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey.
In the build up to the 11th November, the Countess of Wessex attended the Metropolitan Police Service, First World War 100 Year Anniversary Remembrance Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London. The Duke of Cambridge as Commodore-in-Chief of the Submarine Service, attended the Submariners' Remembrance Service. The Duke of Sussex visited the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, as he has done many years previously.