Wreaths will be placed by the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday Service. (Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
In a world that has seen an unwelcome reminder of the horrors of international conflict of late, remembrance events for those who give their lives in defence of others perhaps take on a new meaning.
From the marking of Armistice Day today, this weekend will see many Remembrance events take place, where we honour those who fell in World War One, World War Two, and in conflicts since.
Perhaps the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in London is the most famous of these events.
Many traditions are associated with the event, from the wearing of poppies to the sounding of The Last Post.
It is traditional for members of the Royal Family to attend and lay a wreath of remembrance at the base of the war memorial.
This year, King Charles III will attend the service for the first time as the reigning Monarch, alongside the Queen Consort and other Royal Family members.
But what information do we have on the wreath that he’ll be placing? Here’s everything you need to know.
What do the colours on King Charles’ wreath mean?
This year, the King will place a new wreath at the memorial.
The wreath has been designed to pay tribute to the wreaths of his grandfather, King George VI, and his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Information on the Royal Family’s website tells us: ‘The wreath’s poppies are mounted on an arrangement of black leaves, as is traditional for the Sovereign, and its ribbon bears The King’s racing colours; scarlet, purple and gold.
‘The Royal racing colours were also incorporated into the wreaths of King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.’
Who else will be placing a wreath?
King Charles III will not be the only member of the Royal family who will be laying a wreath.
Though the Queen Consort will be viewing the service from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building, an Equerry from the Royal Household will lay a wreath on her behalf.
The Royal’s site goes on to say: ‘The Queen Consort’s wreath will bear Her Majesty’s racing colours, inherited from her grandfather, and echoes the wreath of the previous Queen Consort, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.’
Then-Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, laying a wreath on behalf of Queen Elizabeth as he attended the annual National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall in 2021 (Picture: Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Finally, the new Prince of Wales will also place a wreath during the service, the same used by his father when he held the role: ‘The Prince of Wales will lay the wreath previously laid by the former Prince of Wales, featuring The Prince of Wales feathers.’
‘The wreath bears a new ribbon in Welsh red.’
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King Charles III will place a new wreath at the base of the Cenotaph this year.
