The Duke of Gloucester marks 70 years since the end of the Korean War

The conflict witnessed more than 1,000 British service personnel killed in action, thousands were injured and 1,060 suffered as prisoners of war.

Supported by their families, the veterans from both nations watched with the widows, as Regimental drums were placed on top of each other to form an altar at the heart of Horse Guards Parade; just as they would have been by the battlefields in Korea before fighting began.

Prayers were said for the departed and families broken by the losses of war.

The Duke laid a wreath and delivered a speech, remembering the 81,000 people who served in the Korean War.

His Royal Highness said:

“The immediate consequences of the conflict were catastrophic: Over two and a half million fatalities, directly affecting many more millions of lives.

The millions of fatalities were husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters who were called upon to serve, and of whom we should be rightly proud.

Today, those millions are now grandparents; uncles and aunts... So we must keep telling their stories to their grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The legacy of the Korean War is important, and remains relevant, for our next generation.”