King Willem-Alexander at the Cenotaph

It is many years since a king placed a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday but today Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands joined the Royal Family at the annual service to remember all those killed in conflict. He had been invited to join the London ceremony by the Queen to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. And the handwritten message on his wreath of poppies marked that event in moving and heartfelt words.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday

November 8th 2015, London

(photo BBC screengrab)

The King of the Netherlands walked on to Whitehall next to the Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh a step behind them. Queen Maxima took her place on the balcony overlooking the Cenotaph next to the Duchess of Cambridge, the Countess of Wessex and Sir Timothy Laurence.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex

Remembrance Sunday 2015, London

(photo BBC screengrab)

They watched as the Queen lay her wreath on the steps of the Cenotaph and then King Willem-Alexander walked forward to place his own tribute. The card on the wreath read 'In remembrance of the British men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. The Kingdom of the Netherlands will be forever grateful for the British role in its liberation'.  It was signed the king and queen.

Koning legt krans tijdens #RemembranceSunday in Londen om VK te bedanken voor hun rol bij bevrijding van Nederland pic.twitter.com/9r7MPK43jt

— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) November 8, 2015

Following the short service, the Dutch king left Whitehall with the Queen and the Royal Family. It was a moving sight and a moving tribute in the year marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. And the solemn and dignified tribute paid by the King of the Netherlands alongside the Queen underlined the lasting link that history provides.