Prince William made a surprise visit to Our Boys and Girls in Afghanistan today to lay a Remembrance Sunday wreath and take part in a service of remembrance at the British base of Camp Bastion. His wreath read: 'For Jo, Lex and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.' This is in reference to two of his friends who were killed. He was accompanied by Defence Secretary Liam Fox, who also laid a wreath.
His grandmother, the Queen, took part in the traditional wreath laying at the Cenotaph in central London. Wreaths were also laid by other members of the Royal Family, politicians and representatives of the Commonwealth nations.
After the Cenotaph was bedecked with poppy wreaths, the march past started, with thousands of military veterans from wars as diverse as WWII and the Falklands all marching past it watched by a crowd of thousands. Also taking part were members of organisations such as the police, ambulance and fire services, boy scouts and girl guides.
Last night, in London's Royal Albert Hall, the Festival of Remembrance, held annually since 1927, culminated in the traditional release of thousands of scarlet poppy petals from the roof to represent all those who have died in combat.
Prince William lays wreath at Camp Bastion on surprise Remembrance Sunday visit to Afghanistan
By Daily Mail Reporter
14th November 2010
Daily Mail
Prince William flew to Afghanistan today to lead tributes to Britain's war dead killed in the trouble-stricken country and in other conflicts.
William joined the congregation for a service of remembrance at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, while his Grandmother, The Queen, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London.
The second in line to the throne was accompanied by Defence Secretary Liam Fox who placed his own floral tribute during the event this morning.
Tribute: Prince William stood to attention and saluted the memorial to the British Solders killed in Afghanistan during a Remembrance Sunday ceremony at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan.
Memorial: Prince William lead Remembrance Sunday tributes alongside Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox at a service at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province
Later, his grandmother the Queen laid a poppy wreath in the traditional Remembrance Sunday event at the Cenotaph in London.
She was joined by other members of the Royal Family, Prime Minister David Cameron and opposition party leaders at the wreath-laying event at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Tributes: The Queen led hundreds of veterans when she laid a wreath of poppies in the The Remembrance Sunday Ceremony at the Cenotaph in London
Two minutes' silence was held in London and Afghanistan for mourners to commemorate the war dead.
William laid a wreath after the silence bearing the note: 'For Jo, Lex and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.'
His visit added weight to an article by the prince in the Sunday Telegraph today, where he described how he is humbled by the respect shown for fallen heroes.
In it, he said: 'The country is as fervent today in its support for our armed forces and the sacrifices that they make as it has ever been.
'The awareness of what young men and women are doing for us in the most extreme and hostile environments imaginable is striking and moving. I find this remarkable and, frankly, humbling.'
After the visit, William said the occasion was extremely important to him, not only to remember personal friends he had lost, but everyone who lost their lives in the line of duty.
On his second visit to the region, William met British and international forces and joined Dr Fox to pay a visit to Camp Bastion's state-of-the-art medical centre.
Poppies: Prince William walks to place a wreath on the memorial to the British Soliders killed in Afghanistan
Service: Serving troops at Camp Bastion commemorated sacrifices made by the armed forces
Dr Fox, who accompanied William during the tribute alongside troops in Afghanistan, said: 'Remembrance Sunday is a time when the entire country stops to recognise the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces on our behalf.
'I am extremely proud that Prince William and I could come to Camp Bastion to stand alongside the men and women serving in Afghanistan today.
'I pay tribute to them, and everyone who has served before them in this conflict, and others on behalf of the freedoms that the British people enjoy.'
They were accompanied by senior British military officers in theatre, including Commander British Forces, Lieutenant General James Bucknall, Commander Task Force Helmand, Brigadier James Chiswell and the British Ambassador to Kabul, Sir William Patey.
Prince William left Camp Bastion for the UK soon after the memorial.
Services were being held at all British bases in the region to mark Remembrance Sunday this weekend.
Sombre: The Queen was followed by Prince Phillip and watched by Prime Minister David Cameron as she walked to the Cenotaph to lay her wreath of poppies
Respects: At 11am, veterans who served in conflicts joined a two minute silence to remember fallen heroes, before taking part in a march down Whitehall past the Cenotaph
After the two-minute silence, the Queen will lay the first floral tribute followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent.
Next to pay their respects will be Mr Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, Labour chief Ed Miliband, leaders of other parties, commissioners from Commonwealth countries and defence chiefs.
Thousands of ex-servicemen and women and civilians are expected to take part in a march past the Cenotaph.
It comes after the annual Festival of Remembrance on Saturday night where the Queen, senior members of the Royal Family and the Prime Minister joined an audience of veterans and their families to honour Britain's war dead at the Royal Albert Hall.
Silence: Prime Minister David Cameron was joined by Deputy PM Nick Clegg, Labour leader Ed Miliband and former PM Gordon Brown for the memorial service
Past and present: Cherie Blair appeared glum as she watched the memorial service while Samantha Cameron looked on from a separate balcony
The evening was hosted by the Royal British Legion and was both a moving tribute to the fallen and a celebration of their memory through music and song.
A highlight of the festival was the Book of Remembrance being carried into the hall by Royal Marine Lance Corporal Ram Patten, accompanied by the "March For Honour" teams who have been trying to raise £1 million for the Legion.
The serving and ex-servicemen have been marching across the UK since November 4 in four groups - walking a mile for every British military life lost on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.
The Festival of Remembrance, held annually since 1927, culminated in the traditional release of thousands of scarlet poppy petals from the roof of the Albert Hall to represent all those who have died in combat.
Salute: Prince Phillip joined The Queen and politicians for the memorial service at the Cenotaph today
Royal: Camilla The Countess of Corwnall, Sophie The Countess of Wessex and The Duke of Gloucester watch the memorial service
Before the service in Afhganistan, Prince William met troops - most of whom had no idea he was due to visit.
He even bumped into two old colleagues who he trained with.
One, a Lynx pilot from Hampshire who did not want to be named, said: 'I know him from flying training when he came through with the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop.
'He remembered both of us - it's a small world, the military helicopter world.'
Sgt Nick Rodgers, from South Yorkshire, serving with Brigade Reconnaissance Force, 16 Air Assault Brigade, said: 'It's a big occasion all round - we've got to stay focused for the job in hand but it's still recognised throughout.
'We know that he wants to be here; to be honest, he would rather be out fighting with us so it's good to see him here.'
Prince William paid a secret visit to frontline troops at an airfield in Kandahar in 2008, flying home with the body of a soldier killed in action.
Once back in the UK, he privately met members of the family of Trooper Robert Pearson, who died on April 21 when his vehicle hit a mine.
But some hit out at the trip, branding it a public relations exercise to 'cover up' for controversy caused when the Prince was allowed to fly military helicopters to a stag do and to his girlfriend Kate Middleton's family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.
The 2008 visit came after William's younger brother Harry served in Helmand Province for 10 weeks.
There are currently around 4,500 personnel at Bastion, 1,000 in Lashkar Gah and 950 in Kandahar.
Tony Parsons
The wearing of the poppy is now more popular than ever at this time of year
dailymail.co.uk
mirror.co.uk
His grandmother, the Queen, took part in the traditional wreath laying at the Cenotaph in central London. Wreaths were also laid by other members of the Royal Family, politicians and representatives of the Commonwealth nations.
After the Cenotaph was bedecked with poppy wreaths, the march past started, with thousands of military veterans from wars as diverse as WWII and the Falklands all marching past it watched by a crowd of thousands. Also taking part were members of organisations such as the police, ambulance and fire services, boy scouts and girl guides.
Last night, in London's Royal Albert Hall, the Festival of Remembrance, held annually since 1927, culminated in the traditional release of thousands of scarlet poppy petals from the roof to represent all those who have died in combat.
Prince William lays wreath at Camp Bastion on surprise Remembrance Sunday visit to Afghanistan
By Daily Mail Reporter
14th November 2010
Daily Mail
Prince William flew to Afghanistan today to lead tributes to Britain's war dead killed in the trouble-stricken country and in other conflicts.
William joined the congregation for a service of remembrance at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, while his Grandmother, The Queen, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London.
The second in line to the throne was accompanied by Defence Secretary Liam Fox who placed his own floral tribute during the event this morning.
Tribute: Prince William stood to attention and saluted the memorial to the British Solders killed in Afghanistan during a Remembrance Sunday ceremony at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan.
Memorial: Prince William lead Remembrance Sunday tributes alongside Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox at a service at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province
Later, his grandmother the Queen laid a poppy wreath in the traditional Remembrance Sunday event at the Cenotaph in London.
She was joined by other members of the Royal Family, Prime Minister David Cameron and opposition party leaders at the wreath-laying event at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Tributes: The Queen led hundreds of veterans when she laid a wreath of poppies in the The Remembrance Sunday Ceremony at the Cenotaph in London
Two minutes' silence was held in London and Afghanistan for mourners to commemorate the war dead.
William laid a wreath after the silence bearing the note: 'For Jo, Lex and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.'
His visit added weight to an article by the prince in the Sunday Telegraph today, where he described how he is humbled by the respect shown for fallen heroes.
In it, he said: 'The country is as fervent today in its support for our armed forces and the sacrifices that they make as it has ever been.
'The awareness of what young men and women are doing for us in the most extreme and hostile environments imaginable is striking and moving. I find this remarkable and, frankly, humbling.'
After the visit, William said the occasion was extremely important to him, not only to remember personal friends he had lost, but everyone who lost their lives in the line of duty.
On his second visit to the region, William met British and international forces and joined Dr Fox to pay a visit to Camp Bastion's state-of-the-art medical centre.
Poppies: Prince William walks to place a wreath on the memorial to the British Soliders killed in Afghanistan
Service: Serving troops at Camp Bastion commemorated sacrifices made by the armed forces
Dr Fox, who accompanied William during the tribute alongside troops in Afghanistan, said: 'Remembrance Sunday is a time when the entire country stops to recognise the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces on our behalf.
'I am extremely proud that Prince William and I could come to Camp Bastion to stand alongside the men and women serving in Afghanistan today.
'I pay tribute to them, and everyone who has served before them in this conflict, and others on behalf of the freedoms that the British people enjoy.'
They were accompanied by senior British military officers in theatre, including Commander British Forces, Lieutenant General James Bucknall, Commander Task Force Helmand, Brigadier James Chiswell and the British Ambassador to Kabul, Sir William Patey.
Prince William left Camp Bastion for the UK soon after the memorial.
Services were being held at all British bases in the region to mark Remembrance Sunday this weekend.
Sombre: The Queen was followed by Prince Phillip and watched by Prime Minister David Cameron as she walked to the Cenotaph to lay her wreath of poppies
Respects: At 11am, veterans who served in conflicts joined a two minute silence to remember fallen heroes, before taking part in a march down Whitehall past the Cenotaph
After the two-minute silence, the Queen will lay the first floral tribute followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent.
Next to pay their respects will be Mr Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, Labour chief Ed Miliband, leaders of other parties, commissioners from Commonwealth countries and defence chiefs.
Thousands of ex-servicemen and women and civilians are expected to take part in a march past the Cenotaph.
It comes after the annual Festival of Remembrance on Saturday night where the Queen, senior members of the Royal Family and the Prime Minister joined an audience of veterans and their families to honour Britain's war dead at the Royal Albert Hall.
Silence: Prime Minister David Cameron was joined by Deputy PM Nick Clegg, Labour leader Ed Miliband and former PM Gordon Brown for the memorial service
Past and present: Cherie Blair appeared glum as she watched the memorial service while Samantha Cameron looked on from a separate balcony
The evening was hosted by the Royal British Legion and was both a moving tribute to the fallen and a celebration of their memory through music and song.
A highlight of the festival was the Book of Remembrance being carried into the hall by Royal Marine Lance Corporal Ram Patten, accompanied by the "March For Honour" teams who have been trying to raise £1 million for the Legion.
The serving and ex-servicemen have been marching across the UK since November 4 in four groups - walking a mile for every British military life lost on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.
The Festival of Remembrance, held annually since 1927, culminated in the traditional release of thousands of scarlet poppy petals from the roof of the Albert Hall to represent all those who have died in combat.
Salute: Prince Phillip joined The Queen and politicians for the memorial service at the Cenotaph today
Royal: Camilla The Countess of Corwnall, Sophie The Countess of Wessex and The Duke of Gloucester watch the memorial service
Before the service in Afhganistan, Prince William met troops - most of whom had no idea he was due to visit.
He even bumped into two old colleagues who he trained with.
One, a Lynx pilot from Hampshire who did not want to be named, said: 'I know him from flying training when he came through with the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop.
'He remembered both of us - it's a small world, the military helicopter world.'
Sgt Nick Rodgers, from South Yorkshire, serving with Brigade Reconnaissance Force, 16 Air Assault Brigade, said: 'It's a big occasion all round - we've got to stay focused for the job in hand but it's still recognised throughout.
'We know that he wants to be here; to be honest, he would rather be out fighting with us so it's good to see him here.'
Prince William paid a secret visit to frontline troops at an airfield in Kandahar in 2008, flying home with the body of a soldier killed in action.
Once back in the UK, he privately met members of the family of Trooper Robert Pearson, who died on April 21 when his vehicle hit a mine.
But some hit out at the trip, branding it a public relations exercise to 'cover up' for controversy caused when the Prince was allowed to fly military helicopters to a stag do and to his girlfriend Kate Middleton's family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.
The 2008 visit came after William's younger brother Harry served in Helmand Province for 10 weeks.
There are currently around 4,500 personnel at Bastion, 1,000 in Lashkar Gah and 950 in Kandahar.
Forget Jon Snow, the poppy is bigger now than ever
13/11/2010
The Mirror
The Mirror
Tony Parsons
The wearing of the poppy is now more popular than ever at this time of year
I wish I could get more worked up about the refusal by Jon Snow (the left-wing host of Channel 4 News) to wear a poppy until Remembrance Sunday.
I wish I could feel my blood boil - or at least come to a gentle simmer - at Snow's insensitive comment about "poppy fascism".
But the fact is that I have never seen more people wearing poppies. A few years back, it felt like these potent symbols of sacrifice and courage were dying out. Not any more.
In my neighbourhood, schoolgirls wear them in their hair. My eight-year-old daughter went to school this week with one pinned to her ponytail - even on PE days. And it did not look like some empty fashion gesture.
It looked beautiful. And I would bet my life that every one of those little London schoolgirls with a poppy in her hair understood the meaning of that paper flower.
There has been a welcome revival of the poppy. Because in our own time we have seen the graphic results of war. The young people who are maimed and killed in the service of their country are on the news - not just in the history books.
We understand that those who die in Iraq and Afghanistan are no different to those who died at Normandy and Monte Cassino, or Passchendale and the Somme.
Our servicemen and women go where they are sent. They do not fight for the politicians who send them. They fight for each other. And for us.
The poppy is an understated way of saying "thank you". Thanks to the men and women who gave life and limb to give us our freedoms.
Tomorrow we remember them, the ones who gave their lives for the freedom of generations unborn. And we remember them in that quiet, simple gesture of wearing a poppy.
If anyone can honestly object to that, even if they are a wild-eyed nutjob such as Muslim extremist Abu Izzadeen, then they are definitely and without question living in the wrong country.
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