Royals honour Britain's Afghan war dead at St Paul's

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On the same day that, coincidentally, England and Afghanistan played each other in the Cricket World Cup (a match which didn't matter for either side as they are both already out at the group stage) the Royals, politicians and military personnel gathered at St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London yesterday to honour Britain's Afghan war heroes.

The Queen and the Prime Minister lead the nation in honouring the servicemen and women who fought and died during the conflict in Afghanistan as part of a commemoration service.

It marks the end of the 13-year combat operations in the country with the families of some of the 453 British soldiers killed and veterans taking part in the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

Prince Harry, who served two tours during the conflict, arrived at the service along with his brother Prince William, William's heavily-pregnant wife Kate, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Almost 150,000 UK personnel served in the Afghanistan conflict.

The Royals honour Britain's Afghan war heroes: Kate and William lead tributes to the 453 men and women who died fighting the Taliban at St Paul's memorial service


Commemoration held to mark the end of 13 year long combat operations in Afghanistan at St Paul's Cathedral today

It was attended by members of the Royal Family including Prince Harry who served in two tours during the conflict

Service was led by the Dean of St Paul's with an address given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby

Prayers were given by veterans and family members of those who died as well as a reading by David Cameron


By Gemma Mullin and Stephanie Linning for MailOnline
13 March 2015
Daily Mail

The Queen and the Prime Minister are leading the nation in honouring the servicemen and women who fought and died during the conflict in Afghanistan as part of a commemoration service today.

It marks the end of the 13-year combat operations in the country with the families of some of the 453 British soldiers killed and veterans taking part in the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

Prince Harry, who served two tours during the conflict, arrived at the service along with his brother Prince William, William's heavily-pregnant wife Kate, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.


The Queen leaves St Paul's Cathedral with Prince Philip and the Lord Mayor of London Alan Yarrow following a service to commemorate those that fought in the Afghanistan war




The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh leave St Paul's Cathedral (top) followed by Prince William and a heavily-pregnant Duchess of Cambridge

The senior Royal family members gather at the entrance of St Paul's ahead of the commemoration service earlier today


The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in their seats during the service held in tribute for those who fought during the war in Afghanistan

The Duchess of Cambridge sits beside Prince Harry and Prince Andrew during the service, which began at 11am this morning


Service personnel and veterans among the congregation at today's service at St Paul's Cathedral in remembrance of fellow soliders who died




Prince William and Kate walk up the steps of St Paul's closely followed by Harry (top) while Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall shakes hands with the Lord Mayor of London (bottom)

The Queen is given a posy from Sophie Thorneloe and sister Hannah, whose father Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe was killed in battle


A flypast of aircraft used in the campaign, including a Sea King (front), two Chinooks (second) and two Apaches (third) helicopters and Hercules and Tornado aeroplanes goes overhead


Kate touches her heart as she watches military personnel in a parade after the service


A Royal Air Force Chinook flies over London, followed by an Apache as part of a flypast following this morning's service at St Paul's Cathedral

Following tradition, the Queen and Prince Philip were the last to arrive and the group of royals processed along the cathedral's nave to their seats led by senior clergy including Bishop Chartres and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

The first hymn sung was God is love: let heav'n adore him and the Dean of St Paul's, the Very Reverend Dr David Ison welcomed the congregation in the bidding prayer.

He thanked the commitment of the nation's service personnel, prayed for the leaders and people in Afghanistan, and went on to say: 'We commemorate with sorrow and regret those who have died in these operations and pray for their families and friends and for all who mourn their loss.

'We remember those who have been injured in body, mind and spirit and we pray for their continued wellbeing and for those who especially support them.'

The Prime Minister paid tribute to those who fought to free Afghanistan from the Taliban, saying: 'Today we stand together to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the thousands of British men and women who served our country in Afghanistan.

'We take pride in the scale of their achievements, driving out Al Qaeda and building up the Afghan forces so they can begin to take control of their own security.

'Thirteen years on, the terrorist threat to our country from the region has been substantially reduced. Our families are safer because of what our Servicemen and women have done.

'We also pay tribute to the outstanding contribution of our civilians and aid workers who continue to risk their lives in the service of others. Their efforts underline our ongoing commitment to support the people of Afghanistan in building a new future for their country.'



Servicemen stand on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral as family members and senior politicians arrive for the commemoration service


Family members are seen arriving at St Paul's to pay tribute to their loved ones who were killed in the 13-year conflict


Grieving family members make their way to the commemoration service, which is being led by the Queen and David Cameron


A guest with prosthetic legs, who formerly fought in the conflict in Afghanistan, arriving at St Paul's Cathedral for the service

Five detachments made up of serving personnel from the Army, RAF, Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, with a sixth of up to 400 veterans from the conflict, brought together by the Royal British Legion (RBL) will take part in a parade after ceremony.

They marched in silence past St Paul's accompanied by military bands and pipes and drums, with Prince Charles taking the royal salute, through the centre of London to Guildhall.

A brief ripple of applause broke out from some sections of the crowd, as happened at some military funerals up and down the country for those whose lives had been lost on the battlefields of Afghanistan, but it mainly remained silent throughout.

Aircraft from the campaign, including Chinook, Apache and Sea King helicopters, as well as Hercules transport planes and Tornado attack jets, roared over the parade in their own salute.

Hundreds of people turned out to line the streets and catch what is likely to be the last time the Duchess of Cambridge will be seen in public before she has her second child.

Members of the Royal family will later meet those who took part in the commemorations or served in Afghanistan during a series of receptions at Guildhall, the Honourable Artillery Company and Wellington Barracks.

At the same time military establishments throughout the UK and Germany held events for
personnel and families to mark the day in their own way, and the Royal Air Force held a service for personnel and families at Lincoln Cathedral, a place of great symbolic importance for the RAF.

A service was also held in Kabul, Afghanistan were some soldiers remain assisting the Afghan government and Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex were also in attendance with the Duke of Gloucester as well as Tony Blair, who was prime minister at the outbreak of war in 2001.

Almost 150,000 UK personnel served in the Afghanistan conflict, and 453 British men and women died in the fight against the Taliban insurgency.

 
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