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Princess Anne looks solemn as she attends Armistice Day service

Princess Anne looks solemn as she attends Armistice Day service in Staffordshire decked out in military uniform

  • Princess Royal was decked out in her military uniform for service in Alrewas
  • Read more: Tears and reflection as poignant two-minute silence is observed on Armistice Day

Princess Anne looked solemn as she attended a Armistice Day service in Staffordshire today.

The Princess Royal, 73, was in her military uniform for the gathering, which commemorates the Armistice of the First World War – in short, an agreement to end fighting.

This was a prelude to long-term peace negotiations in 1918, and is remembered with a two-minute silence at 11am on November 11 in the UK.

Princess Anne was decked out in her military uniform, complete with a number of medals and badges, for the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.

The royal typically wears a Royal Navy ceremonial uniform at important events, representing her role in this division of the British Army. 

Princess Anne looked solemn as she attended a Armistice Day service in Staffordshire today

Anne was made Rear Admiral in 1993, before eventually being promoted to Admiral in 2012. In 2020, the Princess Royal was also made a General in the British Army.

She also wears 10 medals, including the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth, the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Order of St John Service Medal.

Her appearance in Staffordshire came as much of the UK marked Armistice Day with a two-minute silence, despite concerns over a pro-Palestine march taking place in London.

At the Cenotaph in central London, a large crowd gathered to observe the silence, and remember those fallen while fighting for the UK.

Hundreds of military veterans formed a square around the memorial to the war dead having arrived behind a marching band for Remembrance Day.

They were joined by cadets from the three military branches who stood in solemn tribute as the Last Post sounded at 11am – with the chimes of Big Ben in the background.

Fights broke out earlier today as Tommy Robinson and hundreds of his supporters arrived in Whitehall as police officers tried to maintain a ring of steel around the Cenotaph ahead of a huge march in solidarity with Palestinians later today.

The Princess Royal, 73, was in her military uniform for the gathering, which commemorates the Armistice of the First World War – in short, an agreement to end fighting

This was a prelude to long-term peace negotiations in 1918, and is remembered with a two-minute silence at 11am on November 11 in the UK

Princess Anne was decked out in her military uniform, complete with a number of medals and badges, for the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas

But fears that the far right supporters would clash with pro-Palestinian protesters did not materialise at the crucial 11am time. There were no Palestinian activists in the crowd which stood 10 deep behind metal barriers.

As chants of ‘England till I die’ and ‘Let us through’ echoed close to the war memorial police reinforcements raced to contain the mob as they jostled to be allowed to join the large crowds gathered. 

Dozens broke through and police could be seen hitting out at those pushing through with batons, as it was reported some of those gathered threw bottles towards police officers.

This comes as crafters commemorated Remembrance Day by adorning postboxes with poignant knitted and crocheted tributes which include planes, soldiers and poppies.

People from Yarn Bomb Hemel Hempstead – which has more than 900 members, 30 of whom are active – has put up roughly 35 toppers – both old and new – to pay their respects to those who served.

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