The Duke of Sussex opens the 90th Field of Remembrance

Thursday, 8th November 2018

His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex opened the Royal British Legion's 90th Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 8th November 2018.

His Royal Highness arrived at the Field of Remembrance, on the Abbey's North Green, shortly before 11.00am and was greeted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall.

Prayers were led by the Dean, who said:

For the 90th 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 Sara Jones, President of the Royal British Legion Poppy Factory, invited The Duke of Sussex 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.

Last Post was sounded from the parapet of St Margaret's Church by a bandsman of the Scots Guards.

The Duke of Sussex salutes the memorial cross that he has just planted

Last Post is sounded from the parapet of St Margaret's Church by a bandsman of the Scots Guards

The Duke of Sussex meets a member of the Gurkhas

The Duke of Sussex meets a Chelsea Pensioner

The Duke of Sussex meets veterans

The Duke of Sussex signs the Distinguished Visitors' Book in St Margaret's Church

After the observance of two minutes' silence, His Royal Highness 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 His Royal Highness 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.