Remembrance 2021

The Poppy Factory

On Tuesday 9th November, The Duchess of Cornwall visited The Poppy Factory in Richmond, London.

The Poppy Factory manufacture the iconic poppy pins and wreaths used during Remembrance events. It was founded in 1922 to provide employment for veterans injured in the First World War.

The Duchess is Patron of The Poppy Factory and during the visit Her Royal Highness toured the factory and met staff after being greeted by the longest serving employee of The Poppy Factory, 62-year-old George Forbes.

The Duchess was invited to add the finishing touches to the wreath The Prince of Wales will lay at The Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday and also completed a custom-made Remembrance cross which she will place at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday to mark Armistice Day - the day in 1918 when the agreement to end fighting in the First World War came into effect.

Earlier this month, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall launched The Poppy Appeal. Their Royal Highnesses met with 10 collectors, representing 10 decades of the Poppy Appeal.

Field of Remembrance

Field of Remembrance

On Armstice Day, The Duchess of Cornwall attended the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey to remember those who have died while serving in the Armed Forces.

At the Graves of Unknown British soldiers, Her Royal Highness laid a Cross of Remembrance which was followed by prayers and the Last Post. Following the service, The Duchess met veterans and members of the Armed Forces and their families.

The Field of Remembrance has been organised by The Poppy Factory and held in the grounds of the Abbey since November 1928.

Ex-service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross or a symbol carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others.

Inside Westminster Abbey, The Duchess laid flowers at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Laying flowers here on Armistice Day follows a tradition set by The Duke of Edinburgh, who would pay tribute at this memorial on occasions when the Field of Remembrance fell on 11th November.

The Duchess’s posy was made up of flowers including rosemary for remembrance, rose hips which represent a farewell and lavender as a symbol of protection.

Remembrance Sunday

On Remembrance Sunday, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, alongside other Members of the Royal Family. 

Taking place every year at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, the National Service of Remembrance provides the nation with a physical reminder of all those that have served and sacrificed, with British and Commonwealth soldiers, sailors, airmen and women represented.

On behalf of The Queen, the first wreath was laid by The Prince of Wales, followed by his own and then The Duke of Cambridge, The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal and one on behalf of The Duke of Kent.