Remembrance 2021

Tuesday 9 November: Poppy Factory

The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Poppy Factory in Richmond, where poppies have been made since 1922. First World War veterans were the first employees of the factory where they made Remembrance poppies and wreaths. Today, the factory still continues to support veterans with health conditions on their journey to employment. 

Her Royal Highness is Patron of the Poppy Factory, and as part of the visit put the finishing touches to The Prince of Wales’s wreath, which he will lay at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

Ahead of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, Her Royal Highness also completed her Remembrance cross to place in the Field later in the week.

Thursday 11 November: Field of Remembrance 

The Poppy Factory has organised the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey since 1928, providing an opportunity to commemorate those who have lost their lives in the Armed Forces.

This year The Duchess of Cornwall visited the site, viewing the thousands of small wooden crosses and tributes that have been planted in Remembrance. 

In a nod to a tradition set by The Duke of Edinburgh on occasions when the Field of Remembrance fell on Armistice Day, Her Royal Highness also visited the Grave of the Unknown Warrior inside Westminster Abbey and laid flowers in Remembrance.

Thursday 11 November: National Memorial Arboretum

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the annual Armistice Day Service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The Arboretum is home to over 400 memorials, including the Armed Forces Memorial where the Service took place.

Unveiled in 2007, the Armed Forces Memorial is dedicated to the 16,000 servicemen and women of the British Armed Forces killed on duty or through terrorist action since the Second World War.

The memorial is designed that at 11:00 on 11 November, the sun’s rays will stream through the gap to illuminate the centre of the memorial.

Thursday 11 November: Bedworth Armistice Day Parade

In Bedworth in Warwickshire, The Countess of Wessex took the salute at their annual Armistice Day Parade.

The Parade marked the 100th one in the town, which has the longest running annual Parade outside of London. 

Friday 12 November: The Duchess of Cambridge marks Remembrance and Royal British Legion Centenary

To mark Remembrance and commemorate 100 years of the Royal British Legion, a film was released of The Duchess of Cambridge, Joint-President of the Scouts, in conversation with Italy Star veteran Colonel David Blum OBE, and ten-year old Cub Scout Emily Edge.

This year, Scouts across the country have been taking part in activities to commemorate the centenary of the Royal British Legion, which was created by Earl Haig in 1921. The occasion has also been marked by the creation of a new Scouts’ Centenary Remembrance Badge, an initiative spearheaded by The Duchess, which can be awarded to all those who take a meaningful part in Remembrance – including completing activities such as poppy-making or taking part in a local service.

Saturday 13 November: The Festival of Remembrance

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra all attended the 2021 Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. 

The Festival is a commemorative event dedicated to all those that have served and sacrificed from Britain and the Commonwealth, with the 2021 event marking the RBL's 100th anniversary. 

Sunday 14 November: National Service of Remembrance

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 others laid The Duke of Cambridge, The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal and one on behalf of The Duke of Kent. 

The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence viewed the Service from the Foreign Office balcony.

A tradition of every Remembrance Sunday is the Royal British Legion March Past of 10,000 Veterans, with The Duke of Cambridge taking the salute this year.