The Princess of Wales wrote a touching tribute to the fallen as she led a moving Armistice Day service today.
Catherine, 43, arrived at the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire this morning.
Handwritten on a note and attached to a wreath, which she will lay at the Armed Forces Memorial, the royal penned: ‘In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them. Catherine.’
At the service, a new work by its ‘Poet in Residence’, Arji Manuelpillai – ‘A Sonnet For Us All’ – will be read out.
It reflects the importance of personal connections, experiences and bonds that are formed through military service – ‘themes which are particularly close to The Princess’ heart’, Kensington Palace said.
The service started at 10.45am, with the princess taking part in the traditional two minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.
She will then lay a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial, before being invited to view newly-dedicated names inscribed on it. Afterwards she will meet veterans in attendance at the service.
The Princess of Wales attends the Service of Remembrance to mark Armistice Day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire
The Princess of Wales wrote a touching tribute to the fallen as she led the Armistice Day service with Prince William today
The Princess of Wales smiles as she arrives at the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire
Princess Catherine wears all black as she arrives for the service this morning
Poet Arji Manuelpillai said: ‘A Sonnet For Us All’ captures the stories etched into the hundreds of memorials within the National Memorial Arboretum, it invites people to listen, reflect and consider the emotion that was the inspiration for these sculptures.
‘I hope these words shine a light on the bonds and relationships that lay often hidden by the conflict. Those quiet acts of care, the friendships that endure, and the sense of duty that binds one generation to the next.
‘These human connections, and the gentle responsibility to carry love forward, are themes that resonate not only with me, but also with HRH The Princess of Wales, for whom the importance of service and compassion lies especially close to the heart.’
It comes as Catherine’s husband, the Prince of Wales, is also taking part in events virtually.
William, 43, has recorded a special video message for the Royal British Legion’s ‘Remembrance Assembly’.
Hosted by veteran and presenter JJ Chalmers, the Assembly took place between 10.25 -11.05am, bringing together young people aged 9-14 in schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK.
It has been designed to encourage young people to take part in Remembrance to honour veterans and others across the Armed Forces community in partnership with the National Literacy Trust.
The Assembly has combined music, poetry, art and voices from across the Armed Forces community.
In his video message, the heir to the throne says: ‘Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect – it is a reminder that Remembrance 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. It’s not just about the past – it’s about shaping who we become in the future.
The Princess of Wales takes part in a moving Armistice Day service featuring a specially-commissioned poem that is ‘close to her heart’ (pictured on Remembrance Sunday)
William, 43, has recorded a special video message for the Royal British Legion’s ‘Remembrance Assembly’
‘Remembrance teaches us empathy, resilience, and responsibility. And when we wear a red poppy or take a moment of silence, we are saying, ‘Thank you. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget.’
‘Through my own military experience, as well as through my work in connection with units across the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, I have seen firsthand the hard work, dedication and duty the Armed Forces carry out to ensure we are protected.
‘Coming together for Remembrance is a vital way to honour those whose service keeps us safe.’
He adds: ‘Even today, as we continue to face a number of conflicts across the world, we honour those who have gone before us, and those who are serving now.
‘Their memories matter, their lives matter, and they remind us to be respectful, kind, brave, and thoughtful every day.’
The virtual Assembly is open to participation by students aged 9-14 (Years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and can be viewed on YouTube or Zoom from schools, libraries, home education and other learning settings across the UK.
Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion said: ‘We’re honoured to welcome the Prince of Wales to this year’s Remembrance Assembly.
‘His contribution, alongside that of veterans and serving personnel, will encourage young people to take part in Remembrance and find their own connection to the Armed Forces community, past and present.’
The Assembly was set to hear directly from current serving military personnel RAF Air Commander Fred Wigglesworth and Army Lieutenant Colonel Manpreet Maycock, alongside first-hand testimony of Second World War veterans.
These include 101-year- old George Durrant from West Sussex, who served in Burma from 1944 in the Intelligence Corps in the 14th Army – sometimes called ‘The Forgotten Army.’
Also taking part is Prince Albert Jacob, 100, who grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, but left aged 17 to join the Royal Air Force, travelling to the US and Britain to repair planes.
He still remembers the day the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender.
Mr Jacob was one of millions of soldiers from across the Commonwealth who served alongside the British Armed Forces in the Second World War and is now one of the few surviving Caribbean veterans.
