King and LGBT community come together – with a touch of Abba – at memorial unveiling
The King has unveiled a memorial to the Armed Forces LGBT community during a moving ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum.
His presence at the occasion marked the first time in British history that a reigning monarch had attended an LGBT-themed event.
Alongside the King, Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Rich Knighton and Veterans and People Minister Louise Sandher-Jones joined serving LGBT personnel and veterans for the dedication of the memorial.
Although homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967, it remained illegal in the Armed Forces until January 2000.
The memorial, while acknowledging those serving today, also stands to commemorate the lives of those who served under the "gay ban".
The King, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, laid flowers at the foot of the memorial, the design of which was chosen by a panel of judges earlier this year.
And in keeping with the celebratory tone of the event, the Band of the Irish Guards performed a programme of music for the more than 200 attendees that included pieces from The Greatest Showman and a medley of ABBA hits.
After formally dedicating the memorial, the King spent time talking to veterans – some of whom had been criminalised under the ban on homosexuality – and to those currently serving.
Able Rate Liam Bell, who serves in the Royal Navy, was one of those in uniform who spoke to the King. "I had a conversation with him. It was absolutely phenomenal to talk to His Majesty," he said.
"For him to be here as his first LGBT community event, to have an understanding of what happened and what we are working to do for the future – he took some time to discuss that with us.
"It was really moving. It really gave us joy."
Ed Hall, who was discharged from the Royal Navy as a junior officer in 1989, was asked to give a speech during the ceremony. He joked afterwards that he never thought he would say the word "lesbian" in front of the King.
"The fundamental importance is for the veteran community and the serving LGBT community, because today is monumental," he said.
"Today, it's the head of the Armed Forces, the head of state, acknowledging that we exist and that what happened to us was appalling.
"But I also got to say the word 'lesbian' in front of the King."
Veterans and People Minister Mrs Sandher-Jones told BFBS Forces News that the unveiling of a dedicated memorial to the LGBT military community was a hugely significant moment.
"To come here, especially today, to see all the veterans who suffered so much under the ban, to see them side by side with service personnel – serving very proudly, many born after the ban – is just fantastic to see," she said.
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