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

[cepe]

This event is taking place at St. Symphorien, near Mons in Belgium. Heads of State will be present including from Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The first and last British soldiers who died during the First World War are buried in this bi-national (German & British) cemetery.

The Canadian troops liberated the city of Mons and George L Price was the last soldier to die during this conflict, at 10.58 on November 11, 1914 at Viller sur-Haine near Mons, two minutes before the ceasefire.

[CyrilVladisla]

Will the Heads of State from Austria and from Hungary be in attendance?

[Lumutqueen]

Not by the sounds of it.

[JessRulz]

HRH The Duke Cambridge, accompanied by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, will attend a service of remembrance hosted by the Government of Belgium at Liege. TRHs will subsequently travel to St Symphorien Military Cemetery, a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Mons, Belgium, for a UK commemorative event.


HRH Prince Henry of Wales will attend the "Step Short" commemorative event in Folkestone. HRH will subsequently join The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsan...morations.aspx

[cepe]

Every working member of the BRF is attending a service on 4th August. Except the Duke of York who will be attending an event which will be announced at a later date (source @royalreporter)

[JessRulz]

Just as a reminder, this is a thread for the commemoration event in Mons, Belgium, as it will be attended by members of multiple royal families. Events attended by members of one family only (such as all the events in the UK on August 4) should be posted in the respective family forum.

[Eveline]

Is anyone going to this event? I want to go with a friend of mine but haven't done something like this before (except when the King came to Ghent, but that was organized for the people). I read on the website that visitors will not be allowed on the cemetery for a few days because of this commemoration and that the visit of the Duke and Duchess will be televised on a big screen. Does this mean no-one will get to see the royals?

[ClaireV]

I'm trying to find out when they go the cemetery although it will be closed, but I do know it will be relayed via big screen in Mons - but again I can't find anywhere where the times are given.

[Eveline]

I just found on the website of Mons that we can go to the grand place at 18.00 to see the Royals who will arrive at 18.30-19.00. After their visit they will go to the cemetery.

I suspect your French is better than mine So here's the link: Kate, William et Harry viendront aussi sur la Grand-Place de Mons! — Site officiel de la Ville de Mons

[LadyFinn]

King Felipe VI attends at the memorial and the lunch hosted by king Philippe.
Casa de Su Majestad el Rey de España - Actividades y Agenda - Centenario del inicio de la I Guerra Mundial

[Tiggersk8]

Thanks to one and all for all the information.

Last night on CBC's The National there was a beyond fascinating discussion about World War One, why we should remember this horrible conflict and how it's still affecting us today. It should be up over at theirYouTube channel the next couple of days. It really has made me think about more than a few things both in our History and also today.


Sent from my iPad using The Royals Community mobile app

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Tiggersk8

Thanks to one and all for all the information.

Last night on CBC's The National there was a beyond fascinating discussion about World War One, why we should remember this horrible conflict and how it's still affecting us today. It should be up over at theirYouTube channel the next couple of days. It really has made me think about more than a few things both in our History and also today.


Sent from my iPad using The Royals Community mobile app

Tomorrow, August 1 at 1600, the church bells in all French communes will ring to mark the declaration of war. A copy of the declaration will be posted on the doors of participating communes, according to local press here in France.

[Rudolph]

From Twitter

UK in Belgium ‏@UKinBelgium 46 mins

3 days to go before the Royal Visit of TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge William & Kate to #Liège & #Mons in #Belgium. @ClarenceHouse

[Blog Real]

The Dukes of cambridge go for Belgium? will they be with Philippe and Mathilde?

[Rudolph]

Prince William and Kate will meet with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde when they travel to Belgium on 4th August for WW1 centenary.

New details of William, Kate and Harry’s WW1 commemorations announced

[Dman]

BritishMonarchy @BritishMonarchy · 6h
Buckingham Palace will turn the #LightsOut between 10-11pm on Monday 4th August to mark the centenary of the outbreak of #WW1 #LestWeForget

[Dman]

British Royals @britishroyals · 1h
Schedule & Timings: Prince William, Kate & Harry in Belgium for the #WW1 commemorations, 4th August.
https://twitter.com/britishroyals/st...00844022558720

[wyevale]

Today myself and my partner did a four hour shift planting red poppies in the dry moat of the Tower of London. Between 17th of July and Armistice Day [11 November] 888,246 hand made ceramic poppies [one for each man from the British Empire that died in the Great War] will be planted,and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Henry will visit the installation on Tuesday, when they will plant poppies of their own.

We had a great day, with good prople commemorating the selfless sacrifice of so many, MANY men, of many nationalities who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
It was an extremely moving and humbling experience, and one i will never forget.

http://huff.to/1zLbOXV

[carlota]

do we know who else is attending? felipe and letizia are, and so is guillaume of luxembourg....

[Marty91charmed]

Originally Posted by carlota

do we know who else is attending? felipe and letizia are, and so is guillaume of luxembourg....

I thought Felipe would come alone... Maybe I'm wrong