The Queen Consort has commemorated the nation’s war dead at a poignant ceremony at Westminster Abbey’s Field of Remembrance.
Today – on a crisp, grey autumn morning outside Westminster Abbey – Camilla laid a cross – in memory of those who have died in past conflicts – in the company of old sailors, soldiers and airmen.
More than 1,000 veterans were gathered in the grounds of Westminster Abbey for the short ceremony, observing a two-minute silence as Big Ben chimed to mark 11am, to remember those who have lost their lives in service.
Afterwards, she spoke with veterans at the event, and showed off her natural love of animals by petting a service dog who was standing with his owner in a line up.
Remembrance Sunday will be even more poignant than usual for King Charles and members of the royal family, coming two months after the death of The Queen.
The Queen Consort has commemorated the nation’s war dead at a poignant ceremony at Westminster Abbey’s Field of Remembrance
![Afterwards, she spoke with veterans at the event, and showed off her natural love of animals by petting a service dog who was standing with his owner in a line up](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404197-11412083-image-a-89_1668082859384.jpg)
![Afterwards, she spoke with veterans at the event, and showed off her natural love of animals by petting a service dog who was standing with his owner in a line up](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404199-11412083-image-m-88_1668082853568.jpg)
Afterwards, she spoke with veterans at the event, and showed off her natural love of animals by petting a service dog who was standing with his owner in a line up
![Today - on a crisp, grey autumn morning outside Westminster Abbey - Camilla observed commemorations at the field, which has been held since November 1928](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64403161-11412083-image-a-9_1668079692119.jpg)
Today – on a crisp, grey autumn morning outside Westminster Abbey – Camilla observed commemorations at the field, which has been held since November 1928
![More than 1,000 veterans were gathered in the grounds of Westminster Abbey for the short ceremony, observing a two-minute silence as Big Ben chimed to mark 11am, to remember those who have lost their lives in service](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404615-11412083-image-a-93_1668082890786.jpg)
More than 1,000 veterans were gathered in the grounds of Westminster Abbey for the short ceremony, observing a two-minute silence as Big Ben chimed to mark 11am, to remember those who have lost their lives in service
![A veteran viewed a cross at the 94th Year of The Field Of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey earlier this morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402683-11412083-image-a-7_1668079664831.jpg)
A veteran viewed a cross at the 94th Year of The Field Of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey earlier this morning
![The Queen Consort appeared in high spirits as she chatted with attendees of the event this morning, and could be seen shaking hands and beaming as she spoke](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404505-11412083-image-m-80_1668082526989.jpg)
![The Queen Consort appeared in high spirits as she chatted with attendees of the event this morning, and could be seen shaking hands and beaming as she spoke](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404503-11412083-image-a-81_1668082530485.jpg)
The Queen Consort appeared in high spirits as she chatted with attendees of the event this morning, and could be seen shaking hands and beaming as she spoke
The Queen Consort planted a tiny cross to pay her respects to servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts across the decades.
Camilla, dressed in an elegant emerald coat and fascinator, appeared pensive as she placed a small wooden cross at the field.
Around 70,000 crosses and other symbols are laid out in 308 plots according to regiment, unit or association, all planted in the grass by volunteers.
Deirdre Mills, chief executive of The Poppy Factory, which organises the plots, said: ‘We are deeply honoured to have Her Majesty The Queen Consort attend the 94th Field of Remembrance, demonstrating once again the importance of acknowledging the sacrifice of all those who have given their lives for others.
![At one stage, Camilla bent down as she chatted with one military veteran who attended the event today in a wheelchair](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404801-11412083-image-a-116_1668083372867.jpg)
At one stage, Camilla bent down as she chatted with one military veteran who attended the event today in a wheelchair
![Camilla, who is patron of The Poppy Factory, which organises the plots, shook hands with attendees at the event today as they remembered and honoured the dead](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404201-11412083-image-a-102_1668082972864.jpg)
Camilla, who is patron of The Poppy Factory, which organises the plots, shook hands with attendees at the event today as they remembered and honoured the dead
![Some offered salutes to the Queen Consort at the event this morning, while others simply beamed with joy and shared a laugh with her](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404497-11412083-image-m-100_1668082963424.jpg)
![Some offered salutes to the Queen Consort at the event this morning, while others simply beamed with joy and shared a laugh with her](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404491-11412083-image-a-101_1668082968476.jpg)
Some offered salutes to the Queen Consort at the event this morning, while others simply beamed with joy and shared a laugh with her
‘Her Majesty’s commitment to the ex-forces community has been unwavering. We are grateful to Her Majesty The Queen Consort for her continued support as we look to help hundreds more veterans overcome barriers on their journey towards employment.’
From just two crosses, laid during the first event at the Abbey in November 1928, the Field of Remembrance is now covered with around 70,000 symbols in more than 360 plots for regimental and other associations.
Ex-service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others.
![The Queen Consort bowed her head as she stood in front of the poppy after planting her cross in the Field of Remembrance today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404821-11412083-image-a-115_1668083265458.jpg)
The Queen Consort bowed her head as she stood in front of the poppy after planting her cross in the Field of Remembrance today
![Camilla appeared pensive as she took part in the service earlier this afternoon alongside a number of soldiers, sailors and airmen](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404817-11412083-image-a-106_1668083184053.jpg)
Camilla appeared pensive as she took part in the service earlier this afternoon alongside a number of soldiers, sailors and airmen
![The Queen Consort walked forward and planted her cross into the Field of Remembrance this morning during the annual event](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404819-11412083-image-a-112_1668083260903.jpg)
The Queen Consort walked forward and planted her cross into the Field of Remembrance this morning during the annual event
![Today - on a crisp, grey autumn morning outside Westminster Abbey - Camilla laid a cross - in memory of those who have died in past conflicts - in the company of old sailors, soldiers and airmen](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402665-11412083-image-a-14_1668079715451.jpg)
Today – on a crisp, grey autumn morning outside Westminster Abbey – Camilla laid a cross – in memory of those who have died in past conflicts – in the company of old sailors, soldiers and airmen
![Ex-service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404823-11412083-image-m-110_1668083213540.jpg)
![Ex-service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/12/64404815-11412083-Ex_service_men_and_women_as_well_as_members_of_the_public_can_pl-a-111_1668083219186.jpg)
Ex-service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others
The Field is opened every Thursday before Remembrance Sunday and stays open for a further ten days. Camilla laid a Cross of Remembrance today before the ‘Last Post’ was sounded.
This was followed by the ‘Exhortation to Remembrance’, the chimes of Big Ben and a two-minute silence and reveille.
It comes ahead of Armistice Day tomorrow, and Remembrance Day services over the weekend, with the royals set to mark the occasion for the first time since the Queen’s death in September.
Last year, Camilla stepped in for the Queen to lead Britain in a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day as the nation came together again following the relaxation of Covid rules.
![Camilla honoured Britain's war dead today by laying memorial cross at the 94th Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey for the first time as Queen Consort](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402669-11412083-image-a-6_1668079649260.jpg)
Camilla honoured Britain’s war dead today by laying memorial cross at the 94th Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey for the first time as Queen Consort
![Camilla, dressed in an elegant emerald coat and fascinator, appeared pensive as she placed a small wooden cross at the field](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402675-11412083-image-m-34_1668080015318.jpg)
![Camilla, dressed in an elegant emerald coat and fascinator, appeared pensive as she placed a small wooden cross at the field](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402671-11412083-image-a-35_1668080019370.jpg)
Camilla, dressed in an elegant emerald coat and fascinator, appeared pensive as she placed a small wooden cross at the field
![Remembrance Sunday will be even more poignant than usual for King Charles and members of the royal family, coming two months after the death of The Queen](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402663-11412083-image-m-19_1668079727456.jpg)
Remembrance Sunday will be even more poignant than usual for King Charles and members of the royal family, coming two months after the death of The Queen
![From just two crosses, laid during the first event at the Abbey in November 1928, the Field of Remembrance is now covered with around 70,000 symbols in more than 360 plots for regimental and other associations](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402693-11412083-image-a-23_1668079745912.jpg)
From just two crosses, laid during the first event at the Abbey in November 1928, the Field of Remembrance is now covered with around 70,000 symbols in more than 360 plots for regimental and other associations
![Ex-service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402685-11412083-image-a-24_1668079751200.jpg)
Ex-service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others
This year, the Queen’s presence will still be felt in Whitehall, with the King set lay a newly designed wreath at the Cenotaph that will include her racing colours, which are purple and gold.
A source previously told Richard Eden: ‘The wreath will be a blend of George VI and Charles’s designs.
‘It will also include Queen Elizabeth’s racing colours as well as the King’s.’
The wreath is being made by the Poppy Factory in Richmond, south-west London, which has a long tradition of working with the Royal Family.
While the walls of the factory’s public displays are still adorned with the Queen’s wreath alongside the ones Charles and William used until this year, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have been snubbed.
Theirs are no longer even in storage at the site which previously kept copies for every royal.
There will be further evidence of Andrew’s isolation next Sunday, when he will be absent from the Remembrance Day service at The Cenotaph as, stripped of his official duties, he no longer has a role to play.
Yesterday, the Princess of Wales offered a three-year-old boy her remembrance poppy while chatting with the youngster during a visit to a children’s centre.
Kate Middleton, 40, appeared in good spirits as she arrived at Colham Manor Children’s Centre, where she is set to learn more about maternal mental health and speak with staff who have helped vulnerable mothers in the community.
The royal donned a smart £369 dark olive coat from Hobbs for the occasion, which she paired with a £36 khaki dress from Mango, her £625 Jimmy Choo bag and her favourite set of £550 pearl drop earrings from designer Kiki McDonough.
The mother-of-three, who has focused on early years support and mental health in her royal career, showed off her maternal side as she chatted to young mothers and their babies at the centre.
Outside, she crouched down on the ground as she chatted to one little boy, Akeem, three, who asked the Princess her name, before she offered him her flower.
After removing the pin, she gave him the little tribute, telling him it was to ‘remember all the soldiers who died in the war’.
![Camilla, dressed in a smart green coat dress for the occasion with black gloves, is patron of the Poppy Factor, which organises the plots](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402679-11412083-image-a-21_1668079736826.jpg)
Camilla, dressed in a smart green coat dress for the occasion with black gloves, is patron of the Poppy Factor, which organises the plots
![Camilla laid a cross - in memory of those who have died in past conflicts - in the company of old sailors, soldiers and airmen who had gathered at the site](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402689-11412083-image-m-36_1668080078025.jpg)
![Camilla laid a cross - in memory of those who have died in past conflicts - in the company of old sailors, soldiers and airmen who had gathered at the site](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402691-11412083-image-a-37_1668080082730.jpg)
Camilla laid a cross – in memory of those who have died in past conflicts – in the company of old sailors, soldiers and airmen who had gathered at the site
![A number of Chelsea pensioners came together and shared a smile as they attended the field of remembrance at Westminster Abbey today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/10/11/64402681-11412083-image-a-31_1668079767084.jpg)
A number of Chelsea pensioners came together and shared a smile as they attended the field of remembrance at Westminster Abbey today
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