Windsors Continue Battle of the Somme Centenary Commemorations

The Battle of the Somme centenary events continued today, with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall joining the younger members of the family in France for official commemorations.

French President François Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Sir Timothy Laurence, were also present for the ceremony at the Thiepval Memorial.

.@KensingtonRoyal @ClarenceHouse & @David_Cameron pay respects during the #Somme100 event. Photos courtesy of PA. pic.twitter.com/6p9S8uInd9

— WarGravesCommission (@CWGC) July 1, 2016

The Prince of Wales joins @fhollande as they both lay a wreath at the foot of the Cross of Sacrifice. #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/7Ij1zuEL3N

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 1, 2016

Prince Charles and President Hollande laid wreaths at the Cross of Sacrifice during the ceremony, as school children from both Britain and France stood behind each of the 600 graves that are of unknown British and French soldiers.

Stunning pictures from the top of #CWGC Thiepval Memorial capture #Somme100 commemorations. Photos courtesy of PA. pic.twitter.com/nCFEtL9T11

— WarGravesCommission (@CWGC) July 1, 2016

Afterwards Charles and Camilla made their way to the Ulster Tower Memorial for a ceremony honouring the Northern Irish contribution, before attending a service at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial which remembers the Canadian soldiers of the battle.

At the centre of the Memorial stands a statue of a caribou, the emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/eTzdkJoZSp

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 1, 2016

A stop at the Carnoy Military Cemetery was also on the agenda, where the Duchess of Cornwall laid flowers at the grave of her great-uncle, Captain Harry Cubit, who served with the 3rd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards.

The Duchess of Cornwall lays flowers at the grave of her Great Uncle, Captain Harry Cubitt. #Somme100 pic.twitter.com/3zMUBleKPV

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 1, 2016

Earlier in the day, the Cambridges and Prince Harry were given a tour of the new museum that has been opened at the memorial. Relics from the Battle are shown under a glass floor.

William, #Kate and Harry inside the #Thiepval museum #Somme100 #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/RtBWubMthl

— Emily Nash (@emynash) July 1, 2016

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Anniversary, France, Military, President Hollande of France, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, Prince Harry of Wales, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Cambridge, The Duke of Gloucester, The Prince of Wales, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, World War I.

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