Tag: Royal Family

The Nation Remembers

A national two-minute silence will take place today to remember all those who have died in conflict

  • Members of the Royal Family and senior politicians to attend National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph
  • Veterans and members of the public will return to Whitehall for this year’s service

At 11:00 today, the UK will fall silent to remember all those who have died in conflict since the First World War.

As well as a national two-minute silence, wreaths will be laid at war memorials across the country and Members of the Royal Family will join senior politicians at the Cenotaph in London for the National Service of Remembrance.

This year’s service will return to normal with approximately 8,000 veterans taking part in The Royal British Legion’s Veteran Parade and members of the public returning to Whitehall after the service was closed to the public in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For those unable to travel to London for the National Service of Remembrance or to their local Remembrance Sunday service, the national event will be broadcast live on BBC One, Sky and ITV as well as on YouTube.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Today we come together to remember those who sacrificed everything in service of our country, in the First World War and every conflict since, including recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It’s a sacred ceremony that has endured for more than a century because we know the unpayable debt we owe those brave servicemen and women.

“We know that for our tomorrow they gave their today. And we know that here at home and around the world, thousands of men and women in uniform still stand ready to defend our unity and our way of life, our values, and at a cost few among us would be willing to pay.

“Today we come together. We wear our poppies with pride and stand as a nation in two minutes of silent tribute.”

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Every year we come together on Remembrance Sunday to honour the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

“I am pleased that this year we can welcome back veterans in the march past and the public to be part of this special service. I hope that people across the country and from every walk of life will join those attending today in remembering those to whom we owe so much.”

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “On Remembrance Sunday we pause to remember all those who died in the service of their country and reflect on the sacrifices our personnel continue to make on operations around the globe.

“The commitment and sacrifice of our veterans continue to inspire today’s service personnel as they strive to honour their legacy.”

Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter said: “It is an honour to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of all those who have lost their lives in the service of our country.

“They died to protect the free and open way of life that we enjoy today. On Remembrance Sunday all members of the Armed Forces will reflect on this legacy, regardless of where and in what circumstances they are serving, sure in the knowledge that they now have the responsibility to uphold the values and standards that their forebears espoused.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty said: “Every year on Remembrance Sunday, we reflect on the incredible courage and commitment of our armed forces and veterans.

“Their dedication to our country will never be forgotten and we continue to honour their sacrifices.”

Bob Gamble, Assistant Director for Commemorative Events at the Royal British Legion, said: “For one hundred years the Royal British Legion has led the nation in Remembrance to ensure the memory of those who have served and sacrificed on our behalf is upheld.

“Remembrance is part of the fabric of society, reminding us of our shared history, and today it continues to unite people of all backgrounds, communities, and generations.

“Nearly ten thousand veterans will march past the Cenotaph to honour those who have defended freedom and democracy, and that number will also include hundreds of young people from the Cadets, Guides, and Scouts.

“It is vital the torch of Remembrance is passed to younger generations and we’re proud so many will be attending alongside veterans of all ages. The RBL invites everyone to join us, in our special Centenary year, as we reflect on the selflessness of the Armed Forces community over the Remembrance weekend.”

Those planning to attend the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph should follow the government’s latest Covid-19 guidance.

Public are asked not to attend if they have symptoms of Covid-19 or have been instructed to self-isolate.

HRH Prince Philip: Front Pages

This morning’s front pages:

The House of Commons will next meet on Monday at 2.30pm, following the announcement of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Scottish Parliament will also reconvene on Monday.

The Scottish Parliament’s flags are flying at half-mast following the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said: “On behalf of the Scottish Parliament I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and to the Royal Family following the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

“The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied Her Majesty The Queen on each of her visits to the Scottish Parliament since 1999. Their unwavering support for this institution and The Duke’s unwavering support to Her Majesty were clear for all to see and his loss will be deeply felt.”

The death of the Duke of Edinburgh

Updated UK Government information

Earlier today Buckingham Palace announced the death of the Duke of Edinburgh after a short illness.

A notice informing the public of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh was placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace. It read:

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”

At the express request of HRH Duke of Edinburgh, and in line with current COVID restrictions, there will be no official ceremonial events during this period.

Although this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we are asking the public not to gather at Royal Residences, and continue to follow public health advice particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimising travel.

We (the UK Government) are supporting the Royal Household in asking that floral tributes should not be laid at Hillsborough Castle at this time. The Royal Family have asked that members of the public consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh.

An online Book of Condolence is now available should members of the public wish to express their condolences. This is available at the Royal Family Website

Further details of the funeral will be announced by Buckingham Palace in due course.

Red Cross celebrates 150th Birthday

Her Majesty The Queen, Patron, sends message of thanks to Red Cross volunteers and staff
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, President of the British Red Cross, introduces new online exhibition ‘150 voices’: www.redcross.org.uk/150voices.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge pens letter to 150 nominated Red Cross staff and volunteers, paying tribute to her own family ties to the Red Cross
Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, Vice-President, telephones one of the charity’s longest-serving volunteers

The British Red Cross is 150 years old today. To mark the anniversary, members of the Royal Family have come together to recognise the work of the volunteers, staff, supporters and partners of the charity who have made a difference to the lives of millions of people who have faced crisis, both in the UK and overseas.

Today the Red Cross is responding to one of the most challenging humanitarian emergencies in modern history, showing the power of kindness as it supports the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.

Her Majesty the Queen, Patron of the Red Cross for 64 years, has sent a message to volunteers and staff to thank them for their dedicated work supporting some of the most vulnerable people here in the UK and overseas.

As the charity’s longest-serving Patron, The Queen has supported the British Red Cross across the decades; then Princess Elizabeth, one of her earliest visits was to a Red Cross hut caring for tuberculosis patients in 1951. On the 100th anniversary of the charity, Her Majesty hosted a Buckingham Palace Garden Party for Red Cross staff and volunteers.

As the charity’s President since 2003, The Prince of Wales has recorded an introduction to a new online exhibition, ‘150 voices’, as part of the anniversary.

The online exhibition showcases 150 objects from the British Red Cross museum and archives collection, which have been specially selected to highlight the role of the charity as it supported people during some of the darkest moments in the last century and a half.

Inspired by communities across the UK and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the exhibition includes objects such as a letter from Florence Nightingale, a WWI ambulance drivers’ cap and a food parcel distributed by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent during the Syria crisis.

In the online introduction, The Prince of Wales says: “I am proud to say that my family has played its own part in supporting the work of the British Red Cross throughout its history.

“As President, I have felt it to be of great importance to continue this close association and to help in whatever small way I can to support the extraordinary work of the Red Cross.

“The work of the Red Cross is as essential today as it has ever been, helping those in need both in the United Kingdom and around the world, strengthening our communities and supporting people to face the challenges of an ever-changing and unpredictable world.”

In 2018, His Royal Highness met Red Cross volunteers in the aftermath of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire. At the beginning of this year, The Prince also met with staff and volunteers while visiting the flood hit town of Pontypridd, South Wales following Storm Dennis.

Most recently, HRH thanked Red Cross staff and volunteers through a video message, for their continued work during coronavirus.

As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations, The Duchess of Cambridge has penned a letter to 150 nominated Red Cross staff and volunteers, which will be sent alongside a commemorative coin from the Royal Mint.

The Duchess has a special connection to the charity, with her own great-grandmother and grandmother having volunteered as Red Cross nurses.

As Vice-President of the British Red Cross, Princess Alexandra spoke to a recipient of The Duchess’s letter and one of the charity’s longest serving volunteers, Anne Taylor, 87.

Anne has been volunteering for 80 years, having joined the British Red Cross on the 1st January 1940, when she was just seven years old at the height of WWII. More recently, Anne has helped to run the Red Cross mobility aids service in Truro, Cornwall.

Anne said of her conversation with Princess Alexandra: “It was a real honour to have royalty talking to me on the phone and to be able to share a lovely conversation about some of the things I’ve done over the years with the British Red Cross.

“I couldn’t believe that she mentioned meeting me before. It was a very normal conversation, we spoke about my time as a volunteer and about normal things, such as family and everyday life. A real privilege.”

The Royal Family has a long history of supporting the work of the British Red Cross, dating back to 1870 when Queen Victoria became the first official Patron of the charity.

Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross said: “We are very grateful to the Royal Family for their committed support to the British Red Cross throughout our long history and today as we mark our 150th anniversary.

“The British Red Cross has been helping people in crisis for 150 years; through two World Wars, working hand in hand with the NHS since its creation in 1948 and today in communities across the UK and overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Throughout our history it is the kindness of our volunteers, as well as the generosity of our supporters that has meant we can be there for people when they need us most, wherever they are and whomever they may be.”

Visit the 150 Voices online exhibition: www.redcross.org.uk/150voices