Commemoration of the Start of WWI in Belgium: August 4, 2014

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

Prince William and Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, in Liège | Blogs•Spletnik.ru

It would have been nice, if King Felipe's and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume's spouses were in attendance too.

I agree, it would have been lovely to have seen Stephanie since of course Belgium is her homeland . But the Luxarrazzi site said yesterday that GD Henri had originally been scheduled to attend without GD Maria Teresa, so not to expect Stephanie to accompany her husband to this event.

As another poster mentioned I am a little confused by Felipe of Spain's participation.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Dman

A very touching ceremony indeed. Very proud of the royals too. They represented their countries beautifully.

Videos:
The St Symphorien Commemoration Event is being hosted by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWCG) and will be attended by William, Kate and Harry as well as the King and Queen of the Belgium and senior representatives from the UK, Ireland, Germany, France and Canada. The cemetery carries particular symbolism as it contains near-equal numbers of British and Commonwealth, and German soldiers, including the graves of the first British soldier killed on the Western Front-
Home - ITNSource News

The Duchess of Cambridge curtsies nicely to the King and the Queen of the Belgians near the end of the video !

[maria-olivia]

Prince William and Prince Harry served the British Army, wore military ties and medals. Prince Harry wore his Afghanistan Medal.

[Iluvbertie]

The medals that William is wearing - and Harry is also wearing the same two - are the Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals - not service medals as such but medals given to a lot of people who were in service situations at the time of the Jubilee. Charles has the same two - along with the Silver Jubilee and Coronation medals and Philip adds the 1937 Coronation medal amongst his. Edward has the Jubilee medals as well as does Andrew. Many people criticise them for wearing these medals because they don't understand what they actually are but...

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

I agree, it would have been lovely to have seen Stephanie since of course Belgium is her homeland . But the Luxarrazzi site said yesterday that GD Henri had originally been scheduled to attend without GD Maria Teresa, so not to expect Stephanie to accompany her husband to this event.

As another poster mentioned I am a little confused by Felipe of Spain's participation.

The attendance situation is quite confusing to me.

[Spheno]

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet king and queen of Belgium as they arrive for WWI centenary service | Mail Online


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby at a ceremony at St Symphorien Cemetery at Mons, Belgium

**Pic**

[Rudolph]

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the front page of tomorrow's The Times Centenary Edition

http://media.skynews.com/media/image...-1-329x437.jpg

[Dman]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

The medals that William is wearing - and Harry is also wearing the same two - are the Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals - not service medals as such but medals given to a lot of people who were in service situations at the time of the Jubilee. Charles has the same two - along with the Silver Jubilee and Coronation medals and Philip adds the 1937 Coronation medal amongst his. Edward has the Jubilee medals as well as does Andrew. Many people criticise them for wearing these medals because they don't understand what they actually are but...

I think it's important to point out that the royal ladies also receive Jubilee medals but its not talked about. I think Catherine received the Diamond Jubilee Medal but no one has pointed that out for whatever reason.

[Tiggersk8]

Thank you to one and all for all the links to everything from today. Very much appreciated. There was also a Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa today attended by Harper to mark the events of 100 years ago today. Also an announcement that the announcement of funding for Canadian events to take place w/The World Remembers organization not only wasn't happening, but that the entire thing was being cancelled. No explanation why either.

Typical of the current Cdn Govt when it comes to stuff like this. :(

I think if I can find a light to put out on our Veranda, then I'll take part in the Lights Out event a little bit later. Even if it's only me around here doing it and knowing why I'm doing it, that's okay, because at least someone is respecting the Memory of those who paid the Ultimate Sacrifice starting 100 years ago today.

Speaking of that....To those who are continuing on w/their vendetta against the Duchess of Cambridge in this thread? Words fail me. I just do not understand how some can pick and choose pictures of Kate *before said Ceremonies even start*, but not a one of her during the Actual Service of Remembrance when Kate shows the proper respect and demeanour, and accuse her "of having a History of Disrespectful Behaviour at Events like these". BTW I've seen the full Events those pictures are the "proof" from and in none of them did Kate laugh, giggle, chitter chatter or play w/her hair once the Actual Service began *and* the only time she touched her hair was to flip it behind her whenever the wind had it in front of her face.

The ones w/the History of Disrespectful Behaviour during Events like are not HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, but the ones using the Event to continue w/their venom filled vendetta towards her. As someone who has a Great Uncle who fought at Vimy, not to mention several relations who fought in WWII, that anyone would think of doing such a thing disgusts me to my core.




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[CyrilVladisla]

Originally Posted by iceflower

Here are some more additional pics:




** dpp: European Royals at World War I commemoration **

It was very commendable that various Royals came to a very moving event.

[Chubb Fuddler]

An interesting commemoration is taking place at the moment at Portsea (about 100km south of Melbourne). Only 3 hours and 45 minutes after war was declared in London, the first shot in the British Empire was fired from Coastal Artillery Gun Emplacement No.6 at Fort Nepean, Portsea. It was a warning shot to stop a German ship that was making a hasty get away. It worked. The captain surrendered.

World War I: Allied forces' first shot in Great War, fired in Victoria, commemorated

[TLLK]

Adding my own thanks to those who have shared photos, videos etc.. from today's events.

[JessRulz]

All posts discussing events that were not held in Belgium have been moved to the respective thread of the individual royal attending.

[lise]

Originally Posted by Moonmaiden23

I agree, it would have been lovely to have seen Stephanie since of course Belgium is her homeland . But the Luxarrazzi site said yesterday that GD Henri had originally been scheduled to attend without GD Maria Teresa, so not to expect Stephanie to accompany her husband to this event.

As another poster mentioned I am a little confused by Felipe of Spain's participation.

He was invited, thats already been asked about on this thread.

[wyevale]

I wonder if anyone has seen pictures of the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex at the commemorative events they attended yesterday ?

Regretably the medias all pervasive OBSESSION with the Cambridges seems to have crowded everyone else out !

[lucien]

Originally Posted by lise

He was invited, thats already been asked about on this thread.

Yes ofcourse,one doesn't come uninvited at these high level occasions.But the initial question was WHY was Felipe invited/attending?

Spain had no business with WWI,it stayed out of it all,was neutral...as were numerous other countries.Spain,The Netherlands as well as the Scandinavian countries were never involved in WWI.So,hence the question is legal and should be answered by someone in the know,why was a Monarch of a country that had no part in WWI invited to attend?Anyone?

That said,I think all ceremonies were done beautifully.

[LadyFinn]

Originally Posted by lucien

Yes ofcourse,one doesn't come uninvited at these high level occasions.But the initial question was WHY was Felipe invited/attending?

Spain had no business with WWI,it stayed out of it all,was neutral...as were numerous other countries.Spain,The Netherlands as well as the Scandinavian countries were never involved in WWI.So,hence the question is legal and should be answered by someone in the know,why was a Monarch of a country that had no part in WWI invited to attend?Anyone?

That said,I think all ceremonies were done beautifully.

I read earlier from somewhere that heads of states and representants were invited from almost 90 countries. Maybe Felipe just wanted to attend and show his respect, as many other countries send their ministers or ambassadors. I think that it is a great gesture from Felipe.

[cepe]

Originally Posted by wyevale

I wonder if anyone has seen pictures of the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex at the commemorative events they attended yesterday ?

Regretably the medias all pervasive OBSESSION with the Cambridges seems to have crowded everyone else out !

Although I agree that the media are obsessed, in this case I think that the priority given to events in Belgium is right. It was our Treaty with Belgium which brought us into the war, when they were invaded. Liege held out with great loses. Last nights ceremony at Mons a British led ceremony IMO ( based on the programme I watched last night) whereas Leige was led by Belgium.

This was key event and I was pleased that the focus was on the event and not clothes/hair/shoes.

I have seen pix of Sophie and Edward at Guildford. Local media/press are the best bet for finding information.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by cepe

Although I agree that the media are obsessed, in this case I think that the priority given to events in Belgium is right. It was our Treaty with Belgium which brought us into the war, when they were invaded. Liege held out with great loses. Last nights ceremony at Mons a British led ceremony IMO ( based on the programme I watched last night) whereas Leige was led by Belgium.

I haven't quite made up my mind yet as to whether it was appropriate to send the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge to Belgium instead of the Prince of Wales. The service at Glasgow Cathedral was an official Commonwealth service with the Governor-Generals of Australia and NZ and the British PM among others in attendance, but it seems to me that the international events in Liège and Mons had a higher profile and should have been attended by the most senior British royal available in the absence of the Queen herself.

What do you think ? Should we read anything into the selection of who should attend each event ?

[Rudolph]

^^^ Maybe because the commemorations in Belgium were deemed the most important, the Queen wanted the Cambridges there knowing the media would focus on them and thus the events in Belgium

Wherever the Cambridges go the world's media is sure to follow.