Princess Kate leads nation on Remembrance Day in tribute to fallen heroes

Kate, 43, joined veterans, serving personnel and families in observing the two-minute silence at 11am, before laying a wreath in honour of those who have lost their lives in service to the country.

The service at the Arboretum is recognised as the focal point of national remembrance on Armistice Day, bringing together those who have served, those currently serving and the families who support them.

Kate’s attendance underlines her longstanding work with military communities and the personal importance she places on recognising the experiences and sacrifices of the Armed Forces.

During the ceremony, a specially commissioned poem titled A Sonnet For Us All was read aloud.

It was written by Arji Manuelpillai, Poet in Residence at the National Memorial Arboretum, and reflects the bonds, shared experiences and personal connections formed through service.

These themes have particular resonance for the Princess of Wales, whose support for service personnel and their families has been a consistent focus of her public work.

The poem read as follows: When you speak of our country, do not speak of war. Speak of the nurse who held a hand like her own father’s.

"A lieutenant who embraced a soldier like his own brother. Remember, sometimes those who go into burning buildings
burn brighter than the fire inside. Those who rise from burning buildings carry scars we cannot see.

"If you speak of this country, speak of the widow who never stopped waiting, the sailor who kissed a photo till it turned to ash in his hands, or the pilots who meet in the pub to talk of anything but war.

"You see love is a compass, love is a bugle mourning. Love is sacrificing tomorrow so that a stranger can live today.

"So when you speak of this country, do not think of it as a place. Think of it as a feeling, the feeling of being loved, the duty to pass that love to whoever needs it."

Following the service, the Princess of Wales will visit the Memorial Wall to meet Squadron Leader Beth Long and her two daughters.

They are the family of the late Squadron Leader Mark Long, who was based at RAF Coningsby and lost his life in a Spitfire crash during Battle of Britain Memorial Flight duties in 2024. His name is the most recent to be engraved on the wall.

Kate will spend time speaking with the family, acknowledging the ongoing impact of loss on service families and the continued role remembrance plays in their lives.

In addition, the mother-of-three will meet recent veterans, recognising those transitioning back to civilian life, and a group of World War Two veterans who continue to attend national remembrance events.

The Princess will then join several secondary school students from military families whose parents are currently deployed.

The discussion is set to focus on the often unseen sacrifices made by families who support service personnel, and the resilience shown by young people during periods of separation.

Meanwhile, Prince William has also marked Armistice Day. A video message from the Prince was played during the Royal British Legion’s virtual assembly this morning.

Armistice Day and the wider period of remembrance each November remain central to national life, providing a moment for reflection and collective memory.

The Princess of Wales’s presence at the Arboretum places renewed attention on the contributions of those who have served, and the families and communities who continue to feel the effects of conflict.

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire is the nation’s centre of remembrance, home to more than 400 memorials dedicated to military and civilian organisations and communities affected by loss.

Today’s service reaffirms the continued significance of remembrance in the United Kingdom and the enduring commitment to honour the sacrifices made by those who served their country.