This year I watched the remembrance day service and parade live from Whitehall. I was stood right by The Cenotaph. 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. 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 2 years ago 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.
The Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Wessex, and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence were on one balcony. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent were on another. The Queen, flanked by the Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge, were on the central balcony. I reflected how strange these royal events must be for those who marry into the royal family, and must sometimes find it hard to believe that they are standing there, leading this national act of remembrance.
As Big Ben chimed 11am, a single gunshot was fired at horse guards parade. Hearing the chimes of Big Ben live moved me and m
ade this act of remembrance more meaningful for me, compared to hearing them on TV or the radio, which is what I was used to. The nation was 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, in this year of 2019, it happened on 10th November. The two minutes silence ended 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) laid the first wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph. He walked forward, placed it, saluted, and walked backwards, facing the Cenotaph, as a mark of respect, as do all those laying wreaths. He then re-took his position. 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, and the Duke of Kent.
Then the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, laid his 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 represented their nations.
A short Christian service was led by the Bishop of London, and hymns were sung, led by the choir. Prayers were said for those who have lost loved ones, and asking God’s peace to reign in the world. I liked 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 found the assembled group saying the Lord’s Prayer together most moving.
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 departed. Each year one member of the royal family stays to take the salute, and this year the Duke of York took the salute. Veterans and representatives of organisations such as the Cadets, St John’s Ambulance, Help for Heroes, and other charities marched past the Cenotaph, and their wreaths were laid.
The evening before Remembrance Sunday, the royals attended 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 of Kent, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament also attended. The festival included stories of past and more recent conflicts, interviews, performances, and music from various military bands. 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. 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 entered. The poem, “They shall not grow old,” was cited.
The Last Post played. Two minutes silence was held as poppies descended from the roof, landing on all those assembled. Bugles played to end the silence. Another hymn was sung as the torch of remembrance entered. The armed forces members that were assembled gave three cheers for the Queen to end the festival.
In the build up to the 11th November, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, as the Duke has done many years previously. But this was the first time for the Duchess. The Queen also visited the Royal British Legion Industries village, to mark their centenary.
Being at The Cenotaph this year reminded me of how significant our royal family are in providing that figurehead for the nation, to be a constant throughout our lives as people we can look to, to lead us on these occasions, and help us remember the sacrifices of so many who gave us our freedom.