King Charles to lead Remembrance Day service for first time as monarch – as he follows in Queen’s footsteps | UK News

The nation will fall into silence on Sunday morning as the King leads an emotional ceremony to celebrate his first time as monarch.

King Charles will order a new poppy wreath incorporating a ribbon of his racing colors, with designs in tribute to those used by both his late mother and his grandfather George VI.

A wreath will also be laid on behalf of the Queen Consort for the first time as Camilla watches from the balcony.

Queen Elizabeth IIWho died nine weeks agoRemembrance Sunday is considered to be one of the biggest and most important holidays in the royal calendar.

Fifty years ago, the then-Prince of Wales laid his first wreath at the cenotaph, and during the decades that followed, he stayed one step behind his mother and developed the deepest appreciation for the responsibility. his new to the army.

“He understands the history and myriad connections between the sovereign, the Royal Family and the Armed Forces, I think, more than any member of his staff… I think it’s an intrinsic part. in his role as King and he understands that there is an indelible connection to the Armed Forces,” said Alastair Graham, his former soldier.

Mr. Graham, who has served in the navy for more than 25 years, assisted the prince from 2002 to 2004, helping to organize his diary and providing direct contact with the forces.

During that period, Britain was caught up in the Iraq War, allowing Britain to witness firsthand the present King’s dedication to the army.

Mr. Graham told me: “When it started, the program (the diary) effectively went out the window, and we were tasked with rearranging the program to ensure that Your Majesty could spend as much time as possible for the regiments, the families that were left behind while they were serving, and maintained very close links through the chiefs of staff to understand what was going on and what was going on. war was going on in his usual role at the time as Prince of Wales, but it was clear that he would continue as King.”

Those who know him well say that his understanding of military life developed early, not only because of his family connections but through his own training with all part of the armed forces, making him, some would say, the king with the most military training we’ve ever had. ever had.

Mr. Graham explained: “He trained as a naval officer, he trained as a Royal Air Force pilot, both fixed and rotary, not simply to get the badge but to understand the challenges of jets and helicopters in service”.

“He went to the skydiving company’s training, so he has parachute wings. Again, not to be seen as a hero, but to understand the harshness.”

Since 2017, another task has been placed on his shoulders when the Queen decided it was no longer practical to lay her own wreath.

It’s a poignant symbol that the Queen, throughout her life, has transferred responsibility to her son – it’s a transformation happening before our eyes in a way we’ve never seen before. .

It also means that on Sunday, while it will be his first time as King, the fact we’ve seen him do it before means it won’t completely distract those who aren’t. The most caring British royal we all remember.

This year, nearly 10,000 veterans will take part in the last Royal Legion march, with 400 Falklands veterans forming the largest team watched by a crowd estimated at 10,000 on Whitehall.

Andrew Lawless, whose Chinook helicopter crashed during the Falklands conflict 40 years ago, will be there for the first time in memory of his comrades and says the King’s presence will be appreciated just as much. like his mother for many years.

Mr Lawless said: “He said he himself wanted to follow in his mother’s footsteps so his sense of duty and service certainly has and we know it,” adding, “it is.” There’s also a solemn part and certainly when I march through the Cenotaph there will be names running through the heads of my friends who can’t be here.”

This weekend, Queen Elizabeth II was also memorialized at the memorial field at Westminster Abbey, and will also remain the focal point at the Cenotaph, as her son the King now leads the family and the nation as We all show respect to others. who served.