Princess Royal leads Armistice Day commemorations

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal attended the Service of Remembrance on the iconic Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. 

The service on the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, the treaty which brought an end to the First World War, was held in memory of all those who gave their lives in service to their country since 1914.   

Philippa Rawlinson, director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion and director of the National Memorial Arboretum said: “This weekend we are gathering across the country to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the Nation, defending our freedoms and protecting our way of life.

“By bringing together people of all ages, from diverse communities, we are passing the baton of Remembrance to future generations, ensuring that the sacrifices made by all who serve will never be forgotten.  

“The National Memorial Arboretum, the Nation’s year-round place to remember, plays a critical role in preserving the legacy of the fallen. There are countless stories of service and sacrifice encapsulated within more than 400 memorials, transforming our 150-acre estate into an inspirational space to celebrate lives lived and commemorate lives lost in service, freely open to all.” 

The service was led by The Right Reverend Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, and included an Act of Remembrance, incorporating a two-minute silence at 11am.

At the conclusion of the Act of Remembrance, HRH The Princess Royal laid a wreath on the central plinth of the Armed Forces Memorial.

The wreath sat adjacent to the giant bronze wreath which captures a shaft of sunlight at 11am on 11 November each year, thanks to a carefully designed gap in the imposing Portland stone walls of the memorial. 

The service also included performances from the British Army Band Catterick and a recital by Dan Simpson, the Arboretum’s poet-in-residence, who read his new poem ‘Enduring Freedom’.