Remembrance Service in UK on TV

I watched the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph as I’ve always have and last night the Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall. Always very moving ceremonies.

What a nice thread this is. Yes I thought the ceremony was more emotional this year and I must say I enjoyed it very much. Poor Prince Charles did look close to tears, and I too think it had something to do with the tough emotional time the RF, him in particular have been through in the past 12 months. It is his birthday too! I do wonder about the Queen?! How on earth has she sprained her back? Is there more to this? It doesn't sound good. What does P.C know that we don't? All a bit worrying. Thank goodness for stalwart Prince William.

We watched the ceremony at the cenotaph this morning. Prince Charles looked as if he shed a tear when laying the wreath for the Queen. The service was fitting and respectful as always.

We also watch the Remembrance Concert fir in the Albert Hall last night, again respectful and a fitting tribute to the fallen and injured.

How on earth has she sprained her back?

I suppose at 95 she only has to twist awkwardly getting out of bed or turning a bit too quickly and it just went.

I know she won’t be doing humdrum household tasks or anything, but it doesn’t take much at her age to ‘do a mischief’.

I watched the Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall last night*Maywalk * It was very moving as usual and husband and I shed tears of sorrow and gratitude to the many dearly loved ones lost and for their bereft families.
I've spoken before of my father's funeral and the pride and honour I felt when The British Legion flag was placed on my father's coffin by it's members. His birthday was 9th November so always remembered at this time especially.

I too hope the Queen is well and there is good news.

I attended a service at our local cenotaph on the 11th as it’s a smaller service than todays, but I watched the BBC’s televised service this morning. My cousin was there marching on her 73rd birthday - she joined the Women’s Royal Air Force (as it was then) straight from school. Afterwards we went to put some poppies on our son-in-law’s grave.

Still makes me cry when I see his age of 26 on the headstone. ?

One thing puzzled me this morning so maybe someone can put me right?

Normally, the Queen would stand between Kate and Camilla on the balcony but as she wasn't there, Sophie Wessex was 'upgraded'

Why was Kate in the middle and Camilla at her side? Surely Camilla outranks Kate on ceremonial occasions as she is the wife of the heir to the throne?

Thanks for the input ladies.
This special day means a lot to me mainly because I am nearer the Queens age.
Having myself been bombed out twice during WW2 and spending 57 days and nights down a shelter during the London Blitz, plus being machine gunned in the hopfields and on the evacuee train it gave me some insight as to what our allied forces were going through.
I also had two brothers fighting abroad, plus an uncle.

God Bless Them All.

I watched it and it was extremely moving. I do hope the queen has nothing more than a sprained back.

scones
That’s a lovely thing to do. It’s a sad time but at the same time an opportunity to make contact with a new neighbour.

merlotgran

One thing puzzled me this morning so maybe someone can put me right?

Normally, the Queen would stand between Kate and Camilla on the balcony but as she wasn't there, Sophie Wessex was 'upgraded'

Why was Kate in the middle and Camilla at her side? Surely Camilla outranks Kate on ceremonial occasions as she is the wife of the heir to the throne?

I wonder if Camilla is still a touch persona non grata, merlot.

I hope they have a plan in mind though.

I've no idea merlotgran, but it is a point! Yes of course HM could have turned awkwardly or slipped/tripped. I don't know but I have a slightly bad feeling about her. Hope I'm wrong. My father was killed in WW2 before I was born ged 28 + my mother's cousin aged 26. A dreadful business, such a waste of life both young and old on all sides.

I watched it all and found the whole procedure thoroughly moving as usual. We are so good at this type of ceremony. Think PC is an emotional type of person and agree that he looked thoroughly moved. Thought Kate looked stunning and not out of place in the centre. Thought outlining the Queen's ailment vaguely was a good idea otherwise everyone would speculate wildly. Nice thread. Thank you.

I think Catherine was in the middle because she is the tallest of the three, and it just made it look more balanced.

Calendargirl

I think Catherine was in the middle because she is the tallest of the three, and it just made it look more balanced.

Just what I was about to say.

Calendargirl

I think Catherine was in the middle because she is the tallest of the three, and it just made it look more balanced.

I agree. No more to it than that I think.

Reading your sobering accounts of personal and family experiences of war makes me think that a book of Gransnet war stories would be a fantastic document of a time in history and how it changed the lives of us ordinary folk then and afterwards.

Wouldn't it be amazing if it could be put together and sold for charity.

There is a wonderful, kind, gentle and supportive atmosphere on here tonight. I wonder if it's because of today's events. We're all counting our blessings.

Yes this is a lovely thread. Thank you maywalk. The service was very moving as always but I missed seeing The Queen and hope she recovers soon.

Yes I think that's right about Catherine, the Queen is shorter than anyone so her being in the middle would always be ok whoever was either side of her. Yes a book of Gransnet war stories would be excellent, interesting and informative. I for one certainly count my blessings as my mother remarried in 1947 to wonderful man who had been a P.O.W in the Far East and we were very happy. I like to think that my father would have been pleased.

On the tv news earlier Nicholas Witchell said the Queen’s sprained back only happened a few days ago and therefore it had nothing to do with why she spent a night in hospital a couple or so weeks ago.

He did stress that we only know what the Palace wants us to know.
Oh dear. I now keep thinking how almost close to tears Charles appeared.

The palace didn't tell us when she was in hospital they she was at windsor, that's what Nicholas meant

It said on the news tonight that she was continuing with light official duties, so it’s unlikely there’s anything seriously wrong.

Yes Merlot I thought Camilla should have been in the middle with Catherine at her side.

Hmmm... I was initially surprised, but decided Catherine being in the centre was quite deliberate. Some people may have criticised Camilla if she had been but there's no doubt about Catherine's place in the family.
I thought William had great presence. He must be a tower of strength to the Queen and Charles.

The whole ceremony seemed more emotional than usual. So many brave stories were told. So many veterans obviously delighted to be there this year.
We owe them so much.