Remembrance Day Ceremony

The battle of The Somme started in 1/7/1916.
I have not heard about any plans to change this
I am sure HM could leave sooner without disgrace. I do feel sorry for her having to stand about at the cenataph in November at 89yrs. I wonder how many veterans would still like to attend.

The decision to shorten the ceremony was announced today.

I don't see why the current PM shouldn't lay a wreath as a government official, whatever one thinks of his party's policies.

I didn't know of this , so the usual royals will lay wreaths but not politicians who were elected by the people ? Is this so?

'The changes will see the leaders of the opposition parties and some members of the Royal Family lay their wreaths together rather than individually.'

Hardly earth-shattering stuff...

Fair enough, but is it right the service which is tribute to the dead be shortened because of the queens age? It is not a service for the queen.

It's also for the benefit of the veterans who'll be attending.

My recollection is that the leaders of the main political parties lay their wreaths together, so how is this going to differ significantly? I will admit this is the first I had heard of it, so I am prepared to be corrected. I also believe the Royal party leaves after the "main" ceremony and the lengthy wreath laying by all the ex-Service organisations continues after they have gone.

The day is not for the queen and veterans , it is for the countries of the Commonwealth to pay tribute to the dead of wars

Apologies Nelliemoser you are quite right about the date. I took my info from a usually reliable source without checking.
I think my main complaint is that Cameron will lay a wreath on his own. This seems like an ego trip to me for a ceremony which is much more serious. I can appreciate them wanting to save the Queen discomfort but doubt it would have deterred her mother. I doubt too that anyone would begrudge her a seat for most of the ceremony save the wreath laying. After all she has compromised for age for the Trooping of the Colour. I cannot for the life of me see why Cameron and the other political leaders cannot lay their wreaths together to save time. I also cannot see why Prince Harry cannot take over this role. He has after all seen the most active service of late. Perhaps this is another argument for the demise of the hereditary monarchy in favour of an elected President young enough to perform all duties. Or have I opened another can of worms?

I don't think you've opened a can of woms, Devorgilla I just think you're talking rubbish.

I doubt if shortening the ceremony is just for the benefit of the Queen. It has occurred to me just how old that WW2 generation now are.

The Queen was only 13 when the war started so all those veterans are going to be in their mid 90s. (Apart from any who told lies about their age.)

merlotgran I second that

The PM always lays a wreath.It's the 'office' of PM not the particular person.
This is griping for no good reason IMO.

I think you are missing the point which Ana made earlier. It is not DC who is laying the wreath it is the Prime Minister! Please take politics out of a thread where it is entirely irrelevant. In fact what is the point of this thread?

So only aged royals and veterans are to be considered ? The rest who wish to honour the dead at the cenotaph are to be ignored . The veterans survived , it is not a service for them , it is for the dead

If the queen finds standing for that length of time too much then she can stay at home , she could sit but no way would she, so change the whole service to protect her image. It isn't Rememberance Day it is now queen and Veterans Day

Where is your compassion now, anniebach? These Are very old people you are talking about, who won't be around forever.After that, the service can go on all day if anyone wants it to!

I think any new plans have been abandoned, just read this, a Daily Mail link.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3287116/Don-t-mess-Cenotaph-ceremony-SNP-forces-U-turn-plan-shorten-service-Queen.html

If it is true( Daily Mail) then that has the SNP written all over it!

I shall read the Mirror article with interest although it is not a paper I buy. Thank you for providing a link JamJar1. If, as you state, the ceremony is now not to be tampered with then I for one am content with that.

I like to give a Mail warning, I know it's obvious in the link but just in case someone has just accidentally clicked and been transported.

rosesarered , where is the queens compassion for the many who want the service to remain the same, not put on hold untill those who are now unable to physically take part die.

My compassion is for those men who gave up their lives, their widows who struggled to keep their families out of the workhouse - First World War - not for a woman who puts her public appearance above these, I doubt the veterans want the service shortened , many have attended in wheels chairs for quite a few years.

Just read it and pleased it is to remain as scheduled for this year. If they want a change it should be done with full discussion with all parties concerned well in advance.

We have a veteran who attends the service in our town, it would take a brave person to tell him - we are cutting it short because of your age

anniebach, your posts show that 'class' is what drives you in everything, and that the Queen doesn't deserve any thought, simply because she is wealthy.
I think that the Queen and the old veterans do deserve a bit of thought,when the day is often perishingly cold.