The Royal Family led the country for National Service of Remembrance Day

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Duchess of Cambridge at Remembrance Day service
The Royal Family

Today, The  Duchess of Cambridge joined the members of the British Royal Family to honour the brave soldiers who laid their lives for the nation during World War.

Duchess of Cambridge at Remembrance Day service
KensingtonRoyal

Every year at Whitehall, British Monarch lays the wreath at Cenotaph to pay tribute to the country’s war dead on Remembrance Day, a tradition inaugurated by King George V in 1919.

Duchess of Cambridge at Remembrance Day service
The Royal Family

The year 2018 is a significant year in history as it marks 100 years of the signing of the Armistice, the end of World War I. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the First World War officially came to an end. The announcement was met with obvious joyous celebrations across the nation, and crowds of people started to converge on Buckingham Palace.

Duchess of Cambridge at Remembrance Day service
The Royal Family

The First World War was one of the deadliest conflicts in history – claiming the lives of nine million combatants. Seven million civilians also died as a direct result of the war. On 4 August 1914, Britain entered and declared war on Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and their allies.

Royal Archives Photography: First World War Anniversary
Royal Archives Photography: First World War Anniversary

King George V recorded in his diary the events leading up to and directly after the declaration of war. He describes when war was declared a large crowd assembled outside Buckingham Palace which ‘was a never to be forgotten sight when May & I with David went on to the balcony, the cheering was terrific’.

Royal Archives Photography: First World War Anniversary
Royal Archives Photography: First World War Anniversary

Queen Mary recorded in her diary her thoughts on Armistice day:

“The greatest day in the world’s history. The armistice was signed at 5. a.m. & fighting ceased at 11. U. Arthur came to breakfast, & at 11. we went on to the balcony to greet the large crowd which had formed outside. At 12.30. we went out again & the massed bands of the Guards played the National Anthem & patriotic songs, & the anthem of the Allies. Huge crowds & much enthusiasm…At 3.15 we drove to the City in the pouring rain & had a marvellous reception. The members of the family came to tea & then some WAACS, WRENS, etc. came & sang patriotic songs. So nice of them. The Prime Minister came to see us at 7. U Arthur & Patsy came to dinner, afterward, we went on to the balcony, the band played popular songs, & we had another wonderful scene. A day full of emotion & thankfulness – tinged with regret at the many lives who have fallen in this ghastly war.”

Royal Archives Photography: First World War Anniversary

Shown above is the flag Queen Mary waved on Armistice Day, during one or more of The Royal Family’s many balcony appearances.

Royal Archives Photography: First World War Anniversary
Royal Archives Photography: First World War Anniversary

On 11 November 1920 King George V unveiled the Cenotaph, the national memorial to the ‘Glorious Dead’ of the 1914-1918 war, and afterward, Their Majesties attended the burial service for the ‘Unknown Warrior’ in Westminster Abbey. 2018’s remembrance Commemorations involved commemorating the centenary of the Armistice. Learn more about World War I and Armistice Day through the Royal Archives here.

Royal Archives Photography: First World War Anniversary
British Army

100 years on, The Queen and The Royal Family today joined the nation in remembering all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. More than 10,000 people from across the country joined together on the Mall and made their way around St James’ Park for Remembrance Sunday as part of a ‘nation’s thank you’ to those who fought in the Great War.

Prince Charles laid wreath at Cenotaph
The Royal Family

On behalf of Her Majesty, Prince of Wales Charles laid the wreath at Cenotaph. An Equerry laid a wreath on behalf of The Duke of Edinburgh. Since the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, today was the first time when The Duke of Edinburgh was not present at the Cenotaph with Her Majesty.

Embed from Getty Images

The absence of The Duke led to another strong message, The Queen was joined by Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, and Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, both future Queen Consorts, at the balcony of the Foreign Office.

Prince William and Prince Harry laid wreaths at Cenotaph
KensingtonRoyal

Prince William and Prince Harry followed their father and laid wreaths at Cenotaph to honour the fallen soldiers followed by politicians and dignitaries while Queen watched from the balcony.

Duchess of Cambridge at Remembrance Day service
Foreign Office

At the eleventh hour, the nation observed the two minutes of silence to remember the fallen. The silence represents the armistice that was signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 to end World War I. The silence began with the chiming of Big Ben – despite the ongoing renovations to the clock tower.

Royal Family at the annual remembrance day service
The Royal Family

The Last Post sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines and cannon fires by the King’s troops ended the national silence. About the silent observation, Prince Charles earlier said, “We owe that enormous debt of gratitude to those who gave literally everything for our tomorrow. We go on to remember the extraordinary courage and gallantry and endless devoted service of our Armed Forces. I think the time to have just that silence, was a wonderful idea because we don’t have enough moments of silence to reflect. Above all, it’s a way of showing special honour and appreciation to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Duchess of Cambridge at Remembrance Day service
James Whatling

Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, has attended the annual remembrance service since 2011. Today she wore a bespoke black coat dress from her go-to label, Alexander McQueen.

Military lace insert jacket
Military lace insert jacket

Military jacket
Military jacket

The dress is a combination of a label’s Military lace insert jacket (ided by on Twitter) and a Military jacket (ided by on Twitter). Crafted from wool,  the tailored fit dress featured a contrast white collar, metallic button fastenings with the waistline, epaulettes.

Lock & Co Hatters. Abney hat
Lock & Co Hatters. Abney hat/ Getty

The Duchess of Cambridge paired the coat dress with a bespoke Black Abney hat from Lock & Co Hatters.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore Lock Co Abney Hat in Black
Lock Co Abney Hat in Black

Coming from Label’s Autumn-winter Collection, the £795.00 is currently available in burgundy and brown colors.

Women of thefirst world war poppy paired with three simple poppies
James Whatling

Catherine accessorized the coat dress with 3 poppies and a Women of First World War Poppy brooch that she first wore during a visit to the Imperial War Museum last week.

Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Pearl Studs
Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Pearl Studs

The Duchess was seen wearing her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Pearl Studs that we first saw at the christening of Prince Louis in July this year.

In the evening, The Duchess of Cambridge will attend a special service to mark the 100 years of Armistice at Westminster Abbey with The Royal Family.

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