Duchess Of Cornwall Pays Tribute To War Dead At Field Of Remembrance

The Duchess of Cornwall has paid tribute to Britain’s war dead by placing a cross at Westminster Abbey’s Field of Remembrance.

Camilla honoured the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for their country and stood in solemn silence as the Last Post was played.

The Duchess was shown the rows of thousands of wooden crosses which are planted every year in the grounds of the abbey in memory of the fallen.

Each one bears the name of a lost loved one, a poppy and often a message of commemoration.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend David Hoyle, offered prayers as Camilla stood in front of the graves of unknown British soldiers from both the First and Second World Wars.

She went on to lay her own cross of remembrance and listened to the traditional Exhortation of Remembrance –  which was followed by a two-minute silence.

The Duchess also reviewed some of the memorial plots for regimental and other associations and met a small number of veterans who attended the ceremony, socially distanced because of coronavirus.

Camilla was escorted by The Poppy Factory’s President, Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis.

The Field of Remembrance – in its 92nd year – is organised by The Poppy Factory and has been held in the grounds of the abbey since November 1928 to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in the Armed Forces.

Deirdre Mills, chief executive of The Poppy Factory, said the charity was "honoured" to have the Duchess join the veterans.

For many years, the royal visit to the Field of Remembrance was performed by the Queen Mother.

Camilla's attendance at the ceremony comes as England prepares to enter a second national lockdown on Thursday.

Despite the new rules, Remembrance Sunday events in England are allowed to go ahead as long as they take place outside and social distancing measures are in place.

Cover image: The Duchess of Cornwall lays her own cross of remembrance.