Prince Harry opens Field of Remembrance

Thursday, 9th November 2017

His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales opened the Royal British Legion's 89th Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 9th November 2017.

Prince Harry arrived at the Field of Remembrance, on the Abbey's North Green, shortly before 11 am and was greeted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall.

Prayers were led by the Dean, who said:

For the 89th time at the Field of Remembrance we meet again to remember those who gave their lives in the conflicts of our time that we might enjoy freedom and peace.

Mrs Sarah Jones, President of the Royal British Legion Poppy Factory, invited Prince Harry to lay a cross of remembrance in front of two wooden crosses from the Graves of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars.

Chelsea Pensioners and Service Personnel view the Field of Remembrance

Crosses remembering the Fallen in the Field of Remembrance

Cadets view the Field of Remembrance

Prince Harry is invited to lay a memorial cross by Mrs Sarah Jones, President of the Royal British Legion Poppy Factory

Prince Harry lays his Memorial Cross

The memorial cross laid by Prince Harry

Last Post was sounded from the parapet of St Margaret's Church by a bandsman from the Honourable Artillery Company.

After the observance of two minutes’ silence Prince Harry toured the plots of poppy crosses meeting veterans, representatives of organisations involved in conflict, and members of the public, who had planted a cross in memory of their fallen comrades and loved ones.

After the tour Prince Harry was welcomed to St Margaret's Church by the Rector, the Reverend Jane Sinclair, and the Dean, who invited him to sign the Distinguished Visitors' Book.

Each November the Royal British Legion establishes a Field of Remembrance in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. The field is a sea of remembrance crosses with scarlet poppies - a symbol of remembrance and a tribute to the memory of ex-Service men and women.