The Princess of Wales paid heartfelt homage to fallen servicemen and women today, guiding a poignant Armistice Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Arriving in the morning, Catherine, 43, laid a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial with a personal note: “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them. Catherine.”
It was a moving moment that set the tone for a day devoted to reflection, remembrance, and the bonds forged through military service.
A Sonnet for Reflection
This year, the service featured a new poem by the Arboretum’s Poet in Residence, Arji Manuelpillai.
Titled A Sonnet For Us All, the piece highlights the personal connections and enduring relationships formed in military life — themes that resonate deeply with the Princess.
The poem invites listeners to focus not only on bravery in battle but on the quieter acts of care, enduring friendships, and sense of duty that span generations.
Manuelpillai said his words aim to “shine a light on the bonds and relationships often hidden by conflict.”
Observing Silence and Laying Wreaths
The formal service began at 10.45am, culminating in the traditional two-minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.
After the silence, Princess Catherine laid her wreath at the memorial and took time to view newly inscribed names, before speaking with veterans attending the event.
Throughout, the atmosphere was solemn yet intimate, honoring the sacrifices of those who served while acknowledging the personal toll of military life.
Prince William Joins Virtually
While the Princess attended in person, the Prince of Wales participated remotely, recording a video message for the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Assembly.
The Assembly, hosted by veteran and presenter JJ Chalmers, was aimed at young people aged 9-14 across schools, libraries, and home education programs.
In his message, William emphasized that Armistice Day is for everyone.
“When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way.
We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward so they are not forgotten,” he said, underscoring that Remembrance is about shaping our future as much as reflecting on the past.
Teaching Empathy and Responsibility
The Assembly incorporated music, art, poetry, and voices from across the Armed Forces community, with contributions from veterans and currently serving personnel.
It was designed to instill empathy, resilience, and responsibility in young audiences while encouraging them to take part in commemorative traditions like wearing a red poppy or observing a moment of silence.
Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion, said the Prince’s participation helps young people find their own connection to the Armed Forces community, past and present.
Voices from the Armed Forces
The event featured personal accounts from veterans spanning decades and continents.
Among them were 101-year-old George Durrant, who served in Burma with the Intelligence Corps in the 14th Army, and 100-year-old Prince Albert Jacob, a Caribbean veteran who joined the Royal Air Force at age 17 and recalls witnessing Germany’s surrender.
Current service members also contributed, including RAF Air Commander Fred Wigglesworth and Army Lieutenant Colonel Manpreet Maycock, highlighting the ongoing dedication of today’s Armed Forces alongside those who came before.
Reflections Through Poetry
Arji Manuelpillai’s A Sonnet For Us All resonated throughout the service.
It urged listeners to remember not just war itself, but the human stories within it — nurses who held hands like family, soldiers who embraced one another, widows who waited patiently, and acts of love that endure beyond the battlefield.
“Love is a compass, love is a bugle mourning,” the poem reads.
“Love is sacrificing tomorrow so that a stranger can live today.
Think of it as a feeling, the duty to pass that love to whoever needs it.”
A Day to Remember
Princess Catherine’s attendance, alongside the virtual presence of Prince William, highlighted the importance of personal reflection, respect, and gratitude on Armistice Day.
Through poetry, testimony, and silent remembrance, the service reminded participants — both young and old — that honoring those who served is as much about carrying their legacy forward as it is about remembering the past.