Royal
Royal
Britain's Princes William and Harry and Duchess Catherine planted ceramic poppies yesterday (05.08.14).
The royal trio visited the Tower of London to see the Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red art installation and set down their own flowers in the Tower's moat, where 120,000 poppies are currently installed.
More will be added over the coming months until Armistice Day on November 11, when there will be 888,246 - one for each British and Commonwealth death in the First World War.
Before planting the poppies, the group joined artist Paul Cummins in climbing the Middle Tower to view the work from on high then walked through the whole exhibit accompanied by General Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, and his wife Philippa.
William was heard telling the artist he thought the installation was "spectacular".
Mr. Cummins got the idea from a "living will" he found two years ago which had used the phrase in the exhibit's title.
He added: "Each one represents someone who died in the First World War from Britain and the Commonwealth. I'm literally trying to represent people because a number is a number, but if you see it all like this it is a visual idea of how many people were there."
The poppies in the moat take three days to make each and are for sale online at £25 per flower.
After Remembrance ceremonies in November, the flowers - which are being installed by the artist and a team of 8,000 volunteers - will be posted to the buyers and profits donated to six service charities.
William, Harry and Catherine visit poppy artwork
Britain's Princes William and Harry and Duchess Catherine planted ceramic poppies yesterday (05.08.14).
The royal trio visited the Tower of London to see the Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red art installation and set down their own flowers in the Tower's moat, where 120,000 poppies are currently installed.
More will be added over the coming months until Armistice Day on November 11, when there will be 888,246 - one for each British and Commonwealth death in the First World War.
Before planting the poppies, the group joined artist Paul Cummins in climbing the Middle Tower to view the work from on high then walked through the whole exhibit accompanied by General Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, and his wife Philippa.
William was heard telling the artist he thought the installation was "spectacular".
Mr. Cummins got the idea from a "living will" he found two years ago which had used the phrase in the exhibit's title.
He added: "Each one represents someone who died in the First World War from Britain and the Commonwealth. I'm literally trying to represent people because a number is a number, but if you see it all like this it is a visual idea of how many people were there."
The poppies in the moat take three days to make each and are for sale online at £25 per flower.
After Remembrance ceremonies in November, the flowers - which are being installed by the artist and a team of 8,000 volunteers - will be posted to the buyers and profits donated to six service charities.
Royal
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
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."
Royal
Britain's Prince Charles joined 1,400 people at a First World War commemoration service in Glasgow yesterday (04.08.14).
The prince - who is known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland - was joined by dignitaries from around the Commonwealth for the centenary service at Glasgow Cathedral to remember the way the "world changed" when the Great War began in 1914.
Opening the service, Reverend Laurence Whitley said: "We meet because on a summer's day like this one, one hundred years ago, the world changed. Our nations and peoples found themselves in a war the like of which had never before been seen and the memory of which still haunts us all."
Newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald introduced several readings at the service, which included diary entries written during the war by serving soldiers, and UK Prime Minister David Cameron read out a bible passage.
Trevor also paid tribute to the those from around the Commonwealth who fought in the conflict.
He said: "During the years to come we shall rightly hear more of the courage and suffering of our forces in the conflict, but especially as this city has known the privilege of welcoming our Commonwealth brothers and sisters to the Games just past, it is right to pause now to remember their contribution."
Charles and Mr. Cameron then attended a reception at the City Chambers, where they laid wreaths and were introduced to the family of Glaswegian soldier Henry May, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving a comrade in France in October 1914.
Prince Charles attends memorial service
Britain's Prince Charles joined 1,400 people at a First World War commemoration service in Glasgow yesterday (04.08.14).
The prince - who is known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland - was joined by dignitaries from around the Commonwealth for the centenary service at Glasgow Cathedral to remember the way the "world changed" when the Great War began in 1914.
Opening the service, Reverend Laurence Whitley said: "We meet because on a summer's day like this one, one hundred years ago, the world changed. Our nations and peoples found themselves in a war the like of which had never before been seen and the memory of which still haunts us all."
Newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald introduced several readings at the service, which included diary entries written during the war by serving soldiers, and UK Prime Minister David Cameron read out a bible passage.
Trevor also paid tribute to the those from around the Commonwealth who fought in the conflict.
He said: "During the years to come we shall rightly hear more of the courage and suffering of our forces in the conflict, but especially as this city has known the privilege of welcoming our Commonwealth brothers and sisters to the Games just past, it is right to pause now to remember their contribution."
Charles and Mr. Cameron then attended a reception at the City Chambers, where they laid wreaths and were introduced to the family of Glaswegian soldier Henry May, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving a comrade in France in October 1914.
Royal
Britain's Prince William warned of "instability" in Europe in a speech yesterday (04.08.14).
The second-in-line to the throne addressed dignitaries in Liege, Belgium at a World War One commemoration service and suggested conflict in the Ukraine is not just a localised war, but a battle which will impact on the whole of Europe.
He said: "Edith Cavell was a British nurse who saved soldiers from each side.On the night before she faced a German firing squad she said, 'I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.'
"It took another terrible war to learn the truth of her words, and even today we continue to learn that lesson.
"The events in Ukraine testify to the fact that instability continues to stalk our continent."
However, William went on to praise "the power of reconciliation" and paid tribute to the war dead.
He added: "The fact that the presidents of Germany and Austria are here today, and that other nations - then enemies - are here too, bears testimony to the power of reconciliation.
"We were enemies more than once in the last century, and today we are friends and allies. We salute those who died to give us our freedom. We will remember them."
Prince William warns of Europe conflict
Britain's Prince William warned of "instability" in Europe in a speech yesterday (04.08.14).
The second-in-line to the throne addressed dignitaries in Liege, Belgium at a World War One commemoration service and suggested conflict in the Ukraine is not just a localised war, but a battle which will impact on the whole of Europe.
He said: "Edith Cavell was a British nurse who saved soldiers from each side.On the night before she faced a German firing squad she said, 'I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.'
"It took another terrible war to learn the truth of her words, and even today we continue to learn that lesson.
"The events in Ukraine testify to the fact that instability continues to stalk our continent."
However, William went on to praise "the power of reconciliation" and paid tribute to the war dead.
He added: "The fact that the presidents of Germany and Austria are here today, and that other nations - then enemies - are here too, bears testimony to the power of reconciliation.
"We were enemies more than once in the last century, and today we are friends and allies. We salute those who died to give us our freedom. We will remember them."
Royal
Britain's Prince Harry read a letter from a fallen soldier at a World War One memorial service last night (04.08.14).
The 29-year-old royal - wearing a suit with his Queen's golden and diamond jubilee medals and one for his service in Afghanistan - flew out to Belgium to join his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Duchess Catherine at the Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons and at the service he read out the note from Private Michael Lennon, of 1st Battalion the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
The letter was dated May 30 1915 and was written to the soldier's brother Frank the day before he was due to land in Gallipoli. Michael was killed in action on June 28 1915, exactly a year after events which sparked the war.
At the service, a letter from the mother of John Parr - who is believed to be the first British soldier to have died on the Western Front - to the War Office was read by the serviceman's grand-niece Iris Hunt, who delivered the reading next to his grave before laying a single white rose.
Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - laid a bouquet at the commemoration stone in memory of those who lost their lives in battle.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron spoke of the "unbelievable bravery" of those who fought.
He said in an address to gathered dignitaries: "Every war is cruel. But this war was unlike any other.The unspeakable carnage, the unbearable loss, the almost unbelievable bravery.
"One hundred years on, it is right that we meet here - and around the world - to remember."
Prince Harry reads soldier’s letter
Britain's Prince Harry read a letter from a fallen soldier at a World War One memorial service last night (04.08.14).
The 29-year-old royal - wearing a suit with his Queen's golden and diamond jubilee medals and one for his service in Afghanistan - flew out to Belgium to join his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Duchess Catherine at the Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons and at the service he read out the note from Private Michael Lennon, of 1st Battalion the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
The letter was dated May 30 1915 and was written to the soldier's brother Frank the day before he was due to land in Gallipoli. Michael was killed in action on June 28 1915, exactly a year after events which sparked the war.
At the service, a letter from the mother of John Parr - who is believed to be the first British soldier to have died on the Western Front - to the War Office was read by the serviceman's grand-niece Iris Hunt, who delivered the reading next to his grave before laying a single white rose.
Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - laid a bouquet at the commemoration stone in memory of those who lost their lives in battle.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron spoke of the "unbelievable bravery" of those who fought.
He said in an address to gathered dignitaries: "Every war is cruel. But this war was unlike any other.The unspeakable carnage, the unbearable loss, the almost unbelievable bravery.
"One hundred years on, it is right that we meet here - and around the world - to remember."
Royal
Prince William and Duchess Catherine attended a special remembrance service in Belgium today (04.08.14) to mark the 100th anniversary of World War One.
The royal couple, both 32, went to Liege where William laid a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives in the conflict and delivered a speech in front of more than 50 heads of state.
He said: "In the summer of 1914, the Austrian writer Stefan Zveig, was on holiday in Belgium near Ostend.
"He describes how people from all over Europe were enjoying themselves together, and comments that a great deal of German was spoken because holidaymakers from the Rhineland liked to come to the Belgian beaches.
He added: "Just days later, this carefree harmony was shattered by the outbreak of the First World War. During four terrible years, those same Europeans were engulfed by killing and destruction. Among the very first victims were the people of Belgium, whose resistance was as gallant as their suffering was great.
"The magnificent war memorial where we gather today honors the city of Liège and its people for their courageous resistance in 1914."
The visit of Prince William and Catherine - formerly known as Kate Middleton - marks the first stop of their tour, to commemorate World War One.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has been in Folkstone, Kent, where he unveiled a steel Memorial Arch that commemorates 100 years since the start of the conflict.
The arch is situated at the top of a hill leading down to the harbour where boats waited for the millions of troops who would travel across the Channel to fight on the Western Front.
Prince Harry also laid a wreath at the nearby war memorial.
Prince Charles, meanwhile, attended a memorial service in Glasgow, where he was joined by Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Princes William and Harry lead WWI tributes
Prince William and Duchess Catherine attended a special remembrance service in Belgium today (04.08.14) to mark the 100th anniversary of World War One.
The royal couple, both 32, went to Liege where William laid a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives in the conflict and delivered a speech in front of more than 50 heads of state.
He said: "In the summer of 1914, the Austrian writer Stefan Zveig, was on holiday in Belgium near Ostend.
"He describes how people from all over Europe were enjoying themselves together, and comments that a great deal of German was spoken because holidaymakers from the Rhineland liked to come to the Belgian beaches.
He added: "Just days later, this carefree harmony was shattered by the outbreak of the First World War. During four terrible years, those same Europeans were engulfed by killing and destruction. Among the very first victims were the people of Belgium, whose resistance was as gallant as their suffering was great.
"The magnificent war memorial where we gather today honors the city of Liège and its people for their courageous resistance in 1914."
The visit of Prince William and Catherine - formerly known as Kate Middleton - marks the first stop of their tour, to commemorate World War One.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has been in Folkstone, Kent, where he unveiled a steel Memorial Arch that commemorates 100 years since the start of the conflict.
The arch is situated at the top of a hill leading down to the harbour where boats waited for the millions of troops who would travel across the Channel to fight on the Western Front.
Prince Harry also laid a wreath at the nearby war memorial.
Prince Charles, meanwhile, attended a memorial service in Glasgow, where he was joined by Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Royal
Britain's Prince Charles is said to be "furious" over a former aide's plans to publish a tell-all book.
Queen Elizabeth's former Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter - who worked at Buckingham Palace for 12 years, including when the prince's marriage to Princess Diana broke down and at the time of her death in 1997 - is set to spill his secrets of royal life in a forthcoming biography and his former employers are reportedly worried about what he could reveal.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Charles is furious. This man was a trusted friend.
"He is raking over the breakdown of the marriage and the Prince has been asking aides 'Why do we have to go through this all again?'
"It is just a case of a man who he thought was a friend and who could be trusted cashing in on the misery of that time. It is disloyal.
It is believed the royals have taken legal advice in a bid to halt the publication of the book.
The source added: "Arbiter has been told that he does not have official permission to write this book and a legal team has reviewed all his old contracts in a bid to try and find a way to stop it."
Dickie, 73, has admitted to signing the Official Secrets Act and signed a confidentiality agreement while working for the queen between 1988 and 2000 but insists his book won't break any confidences.
Prince Charles furious about royal book
Britain's Prince Charles is said to be "furious" over a former aide's plans to publish a tell-all book.
Queen Elizabeth's former Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter - who worked at Buckingham Palace for 12 years, including when the prince's marriage to Princess Diana broke down and at the time of her death in 1997 - is set to spill his secrets of royal life in a forthcoming biography and his former employers are reportedly worried about what he could reveal.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Charles is furious. This man was a trusted friend.
"He is raking over the breakdown of the marriage and the Prince has been asking aides 'Why do we have to go through this all again?'
"It is just a case of a man who he thought was a friend and who could be trusted cashing in on the misery of that time. It is disloyal.
It is believed the royals have taken legal advice in a bid to halt the publication of the book.
The source added: "Arbiter has been told that he does not have official permission to write this book and a legal team has reviewed all his old contracts in a bid to try and find a way to stop it."
Dickie, 73, has admitted to signing the Official Secrets Act and signed a confidentiality agreement while working for the queen between 1988 and 2000 but insists his book won't break any confidences.