The Queen has commemorated the nation’s war dead at a sombre ceremony at Westminster Abbey’s Field of Remembrance.
Camilla paid tribute and recognised the sacrifices of those who fought and died for their country in her first visit to the abbey since the coronation.
Following prayers led by Dean of Westminster the Very Rev Dr David Hoyle and the Right Rev Anthony Ball, rector of St Margaret’s Church, the Queen placed a small wooden cross adorned with a red poppy into a larger cross made from the flowers forever associated with the First World War.
After placing the cross down, Camilla and hundreds of veterans fell silent at 11am as the chimes of Big Ben rang out.
After observing a two-minute silence, the Queen met minister for veterans’ affairs Johnny Mercer, as well as staff and supporters of the Poppy Factory, which organises all the memorial plots at the abbey.
Around 40,000 tributes, including symbols of all faiths, were laid out by volunteers in more than 300 plots in the grounds of Westminster Abbey ahead of the ceremony, as veterans and guests came together to remember fallen comrades and loved ones.
Camilla, wearing a green Rifles coat designed by Fiona Clare paired with a cape from Amanda Wakeley, then moved through crowds stopping to observe plots and speaking to representatives.
She moved around the Field of Remembrance and chatted to the veterans, quizzing them about their plots and thanking them for their service.
Amanda Shepard, chief executive of the Poppy Factory, said: “It was a great honour to have Her Majesty The Queen attend the Field of Remembrance once again, 95 years since a group of veterans from our factory first planted poppies in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.
“Their intention was to publicly honour those who have given their lives in the service of others. It is vital that we continue to do so, and to offer an opportunity for people of all faiths and none to place their own personal tributes.
“We are very grateful to Her Majesty for attending today, and for her longstanding and continued support for our charity as we work to help more members of the armed forces community overcome barriers and move forward towards a more positive future through employment.”
