Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, kicked off the Remembrance events and attended the Field of Remembrance service, Wednesday, in place of Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex traditionally represented the family in previous ceremonies observed by the British royal family every November.
Prince Charles' wife, who is the new Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles regiment, led the socially-distanced ceremony held at Westminster Abbey. According to reports, the Duchess of Cornwall also visited the memorial plots of the servicemen who lost their lives for the country.
Last year, it was Prince Harry who toured the graveyard and then viewed the poppies at the thousand-year-old abbey with his wife, Meghan Markle. Prince Harry also joined Prince Philip at the Field of Remembrance when the Duke of Edinburgh was still active in public service.
Camilla took over for Prince Harry since he's been based in California and is no longer expected to perform his royal roles. The change is also a reflection of the royal family moving on after the Megxit drama early this year.
Very Reverend David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster Abbey, led the prayers during the ceremony while the Duchess of Cornwall laid down the Cross of Remembrance at the Last Post with the sound of the bugle in the air.
According to People, Camilla is also the patron of Poppy Factory, whose president Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis walked side by side with the duchess last Wednesday. The organization has been in charge of the Field of Remembrance rites since the 1920s.
Last year, Camilla was supposed to join Harry and Meghan at the Field of Remembrance. However, she was ordered to remain in bed by her doctor due to a chest condition.
Before the pandemic, the Remembrance services were usually attended by thousands of people. This years' service will have a small number of veterans in attendance due to the new lockdown restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It is understood that Camilla will also join Prince Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton on Sunday at the service at the Cenotaph and Queen Elizabeth will still lead this event. It will be Her Majesty's second public appearance since the coronavirus lockdown.
In October, Prince William joined Queen Elizabeth in Salisbury for an in-person royal engagement. Royal aides said that the royal family will continue with their work despite the second nationwide lockdown rules for as long as it is in line with the government guidance. A spokesperson told Vanity Fair that events of national importance will still be carried out.
