The Earl and Countess of Wessex attended a First World War commemoration service in Guilford last night (04.08.14).
The royal couple joined hundreds of guests at the "solemn" service, which started at 10pm and concluded an hour later, at Guildford Cathedral in Stag Hill to mark 100 years since the Great War began in 1914.
Dianna Gwilliams, the Dean of Guilford, hoped the event was built around respect rather than sadness.
She said during the service: "What is very important about this service is the fact it is remembering the eve of something, so it is a vigil.
"Like that which was felt on the actual eve of war it involves waiting and watching and it is that waiting and watching that reminds us of all that happened.
"What is important about not only this event but those up and down the country is they are nothing about war but about peace and wanting peace and the importance of peace in wars still ongoing."
Edward, 50, concluded the readings by echoing the words of the foreign secretary of the time, Sir Edward Grey, who said: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."
Earl and Countess of Wessex attend memorial service
