Prince Charles was once again the person tasked by Queen Elizabeth to lead the Remembrance Day services on her behalf last Sunday, Nov. 10. As she looked at her heir from the balcony, Prince Charles led the laying down of the wreath at the Cenotaph with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Big Ben chimed loudly on cue at 11 a.m. during this ceremony. Then, the country fell silent for a minutes to pay their respects to the fallen soldiers who served the war.
Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry marched together and took turns placing the wreaths. After the moment of silence, the King's Troop fired gunshots, which was then followed by the playing of the Last Post.
The future King of England looked somber in his military uniform. He also performed a military salute and gave way to the equerry of his father who laid down the wreath on behalf of Prince Philip.
Queen Elizabeth's husband was not in attendance at the said event since his retirement in 2017. This was the third year in a row that the Duke of Edinburgh chose not to make a public appearance.
Meanwhile, Prince William and Prince Harry, the second and sixth in line to the throne, respectively, stood side by side each other for the ceremonies. They appear to have set aside any differences or rumors of a rift as they also laid down the wreaths.
Their wives, on the other hand, were watching from the balcony but in separate windows. Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, was next to Queen Elizabeth. Beside her was Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
In the next window of the balcony was Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the husband of Princess Anne, Prince Charles' sister. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was standing between these royals.
According to Joe Little of the Majesty magazine, the only reason Meghan was separated from Kate and the Queen was a matter of pecking order. There was no intention to slight Prince Harry and Meghan with where they were placed but since Prince William and Kate were more senior, they would be standing or sitting in more prominent spots as a matter of protocol.
The balcony also could not fit it more than three people at a time, hence Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, and Kate were by one window while Meghan, Sophie and the vice admiral were in another window. According to the expert, Meghan still held a prominence because of her given spot.
