King Charles III will take part in his first “Remembrance Sunday” as monarch on Sunday and pay tribute to the victims of wars, while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised the Ukrainians’ fight against Russia.
The 73-year-old king had already replaced his mother Elizabeth II – who died in September at the age of 96 – at these ceremonies.
The Queen, who served as a mechanic during World War II, had only missed the ceremony seven times in her 70-year reign and had watched the parade from the Foreign Office buildings since 2017. Her son replaced her last year. past because he suffered from back problems.
poppy wreath
Carlos III, who served in the Navy in the 1970s, laid a wreath in his name at the foot of the Cenotaph, the monument to war victims.
Now king and commander of the armed forces, on Sunday he will place in his own name the crown of red poppies, emblems of Remembrance Day. According to Buckingham Palace, a second bouquet will be deposited in the name of Queen Consort Camilla.
The latter, 75, will attend the event from the balcony of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in office for three weeks, is also taking part in his first “Remembrance Sunday”.
The return of Big Ben
“This year more than ever, we are reminded of the immense gratitude we owe to those who lost their lives to protect their country,” he said in a statement, adding that the observed minutes of silence would also pay tribute “to the brave soldiers.” of Ukraine who continue their fight for freedom”.
At 11:00 a.m., two minutes of silence will be observed and Big Ben will chime, marking the return of the emblematic London clock after five years of renovation.
Some 10,000 veterans will parade in front of the king and other members of the royal family, including heir to the throne William and his wife Kate.
“Remembrance Sunday” ends each year with a week of homage to the victims of wars since the First World War. Members of the royal family laid crowns and crosses in recent days and attended a veterans’ association’s annual concert on Saturday.
Source: BFM TV
