Memories at the Tower of London

The commemorations for the centenary of World War One continue and today Prince William, Kate and Prince Harry have been at the Tower of London viewing a sea of ceramic poppies planted in the moat - one for every British and Commonwealth soldier killed in action between 1914 and 1918.  The poppies, all 888, 246 of them, will be planted at the Tower between now and Armistice Day.  And today, three royal flowers joined them as William, Kate and Harry all planted a poppy in remembrance.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Harry view the ceramic poppies already planted at the Tower of London

(photo from Royal Historic Palaces Twitter)

The royals arrived at the Tower around 11am and were met by General Sir Peter Dannatt before climbing on to the parapets of the famous fortress to see the poppies from above.  They met the man responsible for them, sculptor Paul Cummins, and heard more about the sea of flowers which is the centrepiece of an exhibition called Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Blood.  And then the three young royals, who have led British commemorations, stepped into the swathes of flowers to plant their own poppies.

On top of the Tower - William, Kate and Harry at the Tower of London

(photo from Royal Historic Palaces Twitter)

The poppies go on sale from today at a cost of twenty five pounds each with ten per cent of the money going to charity.  

As the sun sets - World War One 1914 - 2014

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince Harry have attended a ceremony at St Symphorien Military Cemetry in Belgium as a day of commemorations marking the start of World War One come to an end.  Along with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, they took part in a special ceremony remembering those who died in World War One.  Kate laid flowers while Harry spoke.  All as the light began to fade.

The Duchess of Cambridge lays flowers in memory of those who died in World War One at a ceremony at St Symphorien Cemetry in Belgium on August 4th 2014

The last post played and the day turned into evening and on into night.  As darkness fell in 1914, war loomed.  As the velvet sky of summer took over from the milky sunshine that had gone before in 2014, quietness took over.  After a day of commemorations, memories and remembering became more private events.  One hundred years, millions of men - and an eternity of memories.

Quiet memories - World War One 1914 - 2014

There have been many ceremonies around Europe today marking the moments that saw the start of World War One.  In 1914, the Queen's grandfather, George V, stood at the heart of world affairs as his country headed into war.  Today, the Queen marked the centenary of the Great War at Crathie Parish Church in Scotland at a simple ceremony filled with emotion.

The Queen sat, almost alone, in the centre of the front row of the church with a bust of her grandfather, George V, to one side - a reminder to her of the family links she has to the conflict.  The ceremony was simple and small compared to the major commemorations going on in Belgium, London and Glasgow but as poignant and filled with sadness and gratitude as any of them.

Remembering at Liege - World War One, 1914 - 2014

One hundred years ago today, their ancestors were involved in the frantic talks that went on as Europe spiralled into war.  A century on, they stood to remember as the world marked the centenary of a conflict that changed the world forever.  King Philippe of the Belgians with his consort, Queen Mathilde, led the remembrance at Liege today as the world stopped to commemorate those lost in World War One.

King Philippe of the Belgians speaks at a ceremony at Liege marking the centenary of World War One on August 4th 2014

The king and queen greeted heads of state and their representatives at the Abbaye Saint Laurent this morning - President Francois Hollande of France, President Joachim Gauck of Germany and President Michael D Higgins of the Republic of Ireland joined the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and King Felipe VI as well as the Hereditary Duke of Luxembourg for the ceremony.

The King and Queen of the Belgians welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Liege for commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One

The leaders led wreaths during the ceremony and King Philippe, the Duke of Cambridge and the presidents of France and Germany all made speeches.  Those taking part then made their way to the Town Hall in Liege for a reception, a fly past by the Red Arrows and a balcony appearance as the commemorations continued through the day.

President Francois Hollande of France speaking at the Town Hall in Liege during commemorations on August 4th 2014

The royals who gathered in Liege today are mostly figureheads, men and women who take on a role that is more public and more public relations than it has ever been.  They are the heirs of people who felt the responsibility of statehood on their shoulders and who would have been aware of every moment of the days that led to the start of the war.  Their successors marked this massive moment in history today, aware of the parts their ancestors played on those fateful days of August 1914. And just as aware, as we all are, of the part millions of men and women across Europe played.  No one could have known that day what the war would bring, how it would change lives and countries and history.  We are aware now - and join those who stood in state today in remembering.

Prince Charles in Glasgow, World War One 1914 - 2014

The Prince of Wales has laid a wreath in memory of those killed in World War One at the Cenotaph in Glasgow as Commonwealth leaders gathered there to mark the centenary of the start of the conflict.

The Prince of Wales prepares to lay his wreath at a ceremony in Glasgow on August 4th 014

(photo @ClarenceHouse Instagram)

Earlier in the day, the prince attended a commemoration service marking the start of World War One at Glasgow Cathedral. The prince, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, joined 1,100 dignitaries from around the Commonwealth at the ceremony.  

The Prince of Wales in the act of commemoration that took place at Glasgow Cathedral on August 4th 2014, the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One

The ceremony included poetry, music and readings as well as several moments of reflection for those from around the Commonwealth who were killed in the war.  Among those present were UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond.  The cathedral was decorated with flowers from the Commonwealth countries that fought in the war.

The flowers at Glasgow Cathedral where the Prince of Wales attended a ceremony on August 4th 2014 marking 100 years since the start of World War One

(photo Clarence House Instagram)

After the ceremony, the prince met the family of Henry May who was among the first British soldiers to be awarded the Victoria Cross after he saved the life of a comrade in October 1914.  The prince was just one member of the British Royal Family attending events to mark the centenary of Britain's entry in to World War One on August 4th 1914.

King Philippe leads commemorations - World War One 1914 - 2014

The King of the Belgians has led the first of several commemorations taking part in his country to mark the centenary of the start of World War One.  On August 3rd 2014, the 100th anniversary of the declaration of war on France by the German Empire, the king visited Thimister to pay tribute to Antoine-Adolphe Fonck who was the first Belgian solder killed in World War One.  He died on August 4th 1914, the day that Germany declared war on Belgium.  King Philippe laid a wreath in memory of Cavalier Fonck who died on a calm August day in 1914 when no one could ever imagine the millions who would follow him to their deaths in the next four years.

King Philippe of the Belgians remembers Antoine-Adolphe Fonck who died in August 4th 2014 - the first Belgian to die in World War One

On August 3rd 2014, King Philippe also took part in a ceremony at the Fort Loncin which is near Liege and which was one of the last forts near the city to be bombarded as World War One started.  It is now a war grave after hundreds died inside it when it was bombed.  

King Philippe of the Belgians pays tribute at the Fort Loncin on August 3rd 2014

The fort has been a symbol of remembrance for a hundred years and to mark this centenary it has been named a national Necropolis.  

King Philippe of the Belgians at Fort Loncin on August 3rd 2014

The king will lead commemorations on August 4th 2014 as around fifty heads of state gather in Liege to mark the war's centenary.  

World War One, 1914 - 2014

Royals from around the world will gather in Belgium today to mark the centenary of the start of World War One.  The German Empire had declared war on France on August 3rd 1914 but on August 4th, Britain entered the conflict and the beginning of what was meant to be the war to end all wars was completed.  The four years of battle and death would involve many more countries and claim the lives of millions, leaving millions more mourning and bereft.  Today we remember all of them.

A defining moment in the history of mankind now reaches its own defining moment.  One hundred years ago today, the Great War started.  One hundred years on, the world remembers.

WORLD WAR ONE, 1914 - 2014