Duchess Catherine was "quite emotional" during her recent trip to France.
The royal marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme at the Thiepval Memorial in northern France with her husband Prince William and his family, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla and Prince Harry, last week and revealed she found the experience extremely moving.
Poppy Hodgson, one of the schoolchildren who took part in the commemorations, said: "She said it was quite emotional being here and that they were really enjoying their visit. She said it was very moving,"
The Battle of the Somme lasted 141 days and claimed over a million of British, French and German lives, with almost 20,000 British soldiers being killed on the first day.
The memorial commemorates 70,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave.
Writing in the programme for the commemoration in France, Prince Charles said that "their sacrifice and suffering will never be forgotten".
He added: ‘It is truly terrifying to imagine the destruction wrought across this landscape 100 years ago today. However, we now return to the battlefield in a spirit of reconciliation and respect.
"We honour the men who served from across Britain and Ireland, the Commonwealth and from France. We remember, too, the men from Germany who fought and fell in this most futile of conflicts. Their perseverance and courage when faced with such a monumental challenge are truly humbling."
Emotional Duchess Catherine
