Wednesday commenced four days of Remembrance events for the British royals. Hofdames will update the post as soon as we can, but we are leaving it open and stickied to the home page so our community can jump in.
Schedule
Wednesday, November 6
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth: Visit to the Royal British Legion Industries
Thursday, November 7
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Duchess of Cornwall: Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey (Camilla has been ill with a cold, so her attendance is not confirmed)
Saturday, November 9
The Queen and members of the Royal Family: Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall
Sunday, November 10
The Queen and members of the Royal Family: Service at the Cenotaph, where the Prince of Wales will lay a wreath on behalf of the Queen
Wednesday
To start things off, the Queen visited the Royal British Legion Industries village in Aylesford, England. She is a patron of the organization, and was there to celebrate the charity’s centenary year. The Kent amethyst brooch just completely works here – well, it works everywhere, but especially well here.
Thursday
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, sans the Duchess of Cornwall who is ill with a chest infection, attended the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. The Duchess of Sussex wore a lovely blue Philip Treacy hat with netting. I love the return of netting and this blue is an excellent color for her.
The Duke looked resplendent in his uniform. The event is somber, for the most part, but there were some lovely light moments between the pair and the veterans.
This is charming!
Saturday
Have I mentioned that I love black with a pop of red? The gang assembled, all in their somber best, with poppies pinned perfectly. From my first glance, my favorite is the Duchess of Gloucester, looking twenty years younger than her age, and HerMaj, whose white hair glows against the dark dress. Since I need intel on the DoGlo’s clips, I am off and will be back in a bit.
Sunday – “Lest We Forget”
Remembrance Sunday is a day of somber reflection, and the clothes are not about style but about effect, and a communal effect at that. Before we take in the group at the Cenotaph service, I think the Queen’s expression is a reminder of what the day is all about. Sacrifice, duty and honor.
Prince Charles laid the wreath at the memorial on behalf of the Queen and country, as he has done for the past few years. Princes William, Harry, Andrew, and Princess Anne, laid wreaths, as they, too, have done previously.
The three who are or will be Queens: Queen Elizabeth, and the Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge, shared the center balcony.
The Countess of Wessex, Duchess of Sussex, and Tim Laurence shared the second balcony.
Lest we forget the why of it all. Military service veterans, honoring the fallen. The word cenotaph means “empty tomb”, and Remembrance Sunday reflects on the unprecedented loss of soldiers during World War I, and by extension, all military lives lost during conflict.
From Frank Bruno: “In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.”
For one day, pause, reflect, and remember.