The Cambridges Join Belgian Royals to Mark the Centenary of Passchendaele
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Belgium for a two-day visit to attend commemorations marking the centenary of the first day of Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres.
The Duke and Duchess arriving.
A beautiful photo of William and Kate making their way to the service.
Commemorations began this evening with a ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium arriving.
The Duchess and Queen Mathilde warmly greeted each other and chatted.
William spoke movingly at the Menin Gate monument "Today, the Menin Gate records almost 54,000 names of the men who did not return home; the missing with no known grave. Members of our families; our regiments; our nations; all sacrificed everything for the lives we live today. During the First World War Britain and Belgium stood shoulder to shoulder. One hundred years on, we still stand together, gathering as so many do every night, in remembrance of that sacrifice."
The relationship between Britain and Belgium is an incredibly special one, something William evoked in the saying: "100 years on we stand together." Britain entered the First World War to defend Belgian neutrality. A quarter of all the British and empire servicemen who died in the war lost their lives in that area.
The third Battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele, began in the early hours of 31st July 1917. Its primary objective was to dislodge German forces from the high ground around the city of Ypres (now Ieper) and then advance to Belgian coastal ports from where German U-boats threatened Allied shipping. Men from virtually every corner of Britain�s then empire took part. They faced well-established enemy defences and heavy rain that turned the battlefields into a muddy quagmire. Many drowned in the thick liquid mud. It was summed up in poet Siegfried Sassoon's line: "I died in hell, they called it Passchendaele." The conditions at Passchendaele are among the most enduring images of the First World War.
The offensive ended after the capture of Passchendaele village by Canadian forces on 10th November. By the battle�s end, the Allied forces had advanced a mere eight kilometres. The human cost was appalling � an estimated 500,000 men on both sides had been killed, wounded, were captured or missing.
The BBC are televising events. Claire Popplewell, Editor of BBC Events said:
Two hundred descendants whose ancestors are named on the gate alongside representatives from nations who fought on the Salient were also present.
They heard the 'Last Post', which has been played at the gate by a bugler almost every evening since 1928. The sounding of the bugle call remembers all the men who fought and fell fighting for the restoration of peace around Ypres during the First World War.
The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown. The memorial is located at the eastern exit of the town and marks the starting point for one of the main roads out of the town that led Allied soldiers to the front line. It was unveiled in 1927.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Vice-Chairman Sir Timothy Laurence (Princess Anne's husband) and Prime Minister Theresa May meet interns working with the Commission.
Over fifty-four thousand poppies fell, one for every name on the Menin Gate.
Kate selected the piece again for Trooping the Colour in 2016.
Kate's choice of hat was also previously worn for Trooping the Colour. It's the �895 Lock & Marisabel hat. It was described as a 'piece that has been handcrafted by Sylvia Fletcher, Lock & Co.'s leading milliner. The hat has been sculpted using sinamay and then finished with a curled feather in a matching tone.'
Kate carried her new Anne Grand-Clement clutch. There are similar clutches from the brand available at Baar and Bass.
The Duchess accessorised with her Balenciaga pearl earrings and pearl brooch (Kate clearly raided her Trooping wardrobe; the brooch was worn to the 2014 event). Kate wore a poppy on her lapel.
Kate's updo; as you can see the Duchess wore a hairnet.
Kate debuted a new pair of grey suede pumps, we'll update if they are identified.
Televised coverage can be viewed on the BBC Player. I will add a YouTube if one becomes available.
The Duke and Duchess will join Prince Charles for commemorations at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Tyne Cot Cemetery to mark the centenary of the first day of Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres.
The Duke and Duchess arriving.
A beautiful photo of William and Kate making their way to the service.
Commemorations began this evening with a ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium arriving.
The Duchess and Queen Mathilde warmly greeted each other and chatted.
William spoke movingly at the Menin Gate monument "Today, the Menin Gate records almost 54,000 names of the men who did not return home; the missing with no known grave. Members of our families; our regiments; our nations; all sacrificed everything for the lives we live today. During the First World War Britain and Belgium stood shoulder to shoulder. One hundred years on, we still stand together, gathering as so many do every night, in remembrance of that sacrifice."
The relationship between Britain and Belgium is an incredibly special one, something William evoked in the saying: "100 years on we stand together." Britain entered the First World War to defend Belgian neutrality. A quarter of all the British and empire servicemen who died in the war lost their lives in that area.
The third Battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele, began in the early hours of 31st July 1917. Its primary objective was to dislodge German forces from the high ground around the city of Ypres (now Ieper) and then advance to Belgian coastal ports from where German U-boats threatened Allied shipping. Men from virtually every corner of Britain�s then empire took part. They faced well-established enemy defences and heavy rain that turned the battlefields into a muddy quagmire. Many drowned in the thick liquid mud. It was summed up in poet Siegfried Sassoon's line: "I died in hell, they called it Passchendaele." The conditions at Passchendaele are among the most enduring images of the First World War.
The offensive ended after the capture of Passchendaele village by Canadian forces on 10th November. By the battle�s end, the Allied forces had advanced a mere eight kilometres. The human cost was appalling � an estimated 500,000 men on both sides had been killed, wounded, were captured or missing.
The BBC are televising events. Claire Popplewell, Editor of BBC Events said:
'One hundred years on the name Passchendaele remains synonymous with the inhuman conditions and bloody ferocity of one of the First World War's most horrific battles.'
Two hundred descendants whose ancestors are named on the gate alongside representatives from nations who fought on the Salient were also present.
TRHs are joined by over 200 descendants whose ancestors are named on the Gate and representatives from nations who fought on the Salient. pic.twitter.com/V0S7lVnhbj� Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 30, 2017
They heard the 'Last Post', which has been played at the gate by a bugler almost every evening since 1928. The sounding of the bugle call remembers all the men who fought and fell fighting for the restoration of peace around Ypres during the First World War.
Members of the Armed Forces take their places for tonight's Last Post ceremony in Ypres #Passchendaele100 pic.twitter.com/aowQsRzA1X� DCMS (@DCMS) July 30, 2017
The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown. The memorial is located at the eastern exit of the town and marks the starting point for one of the main roads out of the town that led Allied soldiers to the front line. It was unveiled in 1927.
One of the panels with names of the missing dead.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Vice-Chairman Sir Timothy Laurence (Princess Anne's husband) and Prime Minister Theresa May meet interns working with the Commission.
The royals watch the poppies fall.
The Duke and Duchess met some of the descendants of those who served on the Ypres Salient from 1914-1918.
Next, William and Kate visited the Market Square in Ypres with Philippe and Mathilde for an event telling the story of the four years of war on the Salient.
Kate sat beside Sir Timothy Laurence.
The incredible event featured performances and music set to a backdrop of light projections onto the historic Cloth Hall.
The projection of veterans was enormously powerful and evocative.
Alfie Boe featured in the performance.
Highlights of the evening included performances by Dame Helen Mirren, the cast of The Wipers Times introduced by Ian Hislop, a tri-service orchestra and the voices of the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
And a specially written extract from War Horse narrated by its author Michael Morpurgo.
Children�s author Michael and his wife Clare founded Farms for City Children at Nethercott House in Devon in 1976. The Duchess visited their Gloucestershire farm in May.
The Duke and Duchess met some of the descendants of those who served on the Ypres Salient from 1914-1918.
Next, William and Kate visited the Market Square in Ypres with Philippe and Mathilde for an event telling the story of the four years of war on the Salient.
The Duke and Duchess with The King and Queen of The Belgians arrive in Ypres for a special #Passachendaele100 commemorative event. pic.twitter.com/oxjskNPZLF� Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 30, 2017
Kate sat beside Sir Timothy Laurence.
The incredible event featured performances and music set to a backdrop of light projections onto the historic Cloth Hall.
The projection of veterans was enormously powerful and evocative.
Alfie Boe featured in the performance.
Highlights of the evening included performances by Dame Helen Mirren, the cast of The Wipers Times introduced by Ian Hislop, a tri-service orchestra and the voices of the National Youth Choir of Scotland.
And a specially written extract from War Horse narrated by its author Michael Morpurgo.
It was an honour to be part of #passchendaele100. pic.twitter.com/7OoncdyUiX� War Horse (@WarHorseOnStage) July 30, 2017
Children�s author Michael and his wife Clare founded Farms for City Children at Nethercott House in Devon in 1976. The Duchess visited their Gloucestershire farm in May.
The Duchess looked elegant in the Alexander McQueen cream coatdress first worn for Princess Charlotte's christening two years ago. The fit-and-flare design features wide-winged lapels and a fitted, tailored bodice.
The Duchess wearing the piece at Charlotte's christening.
Kate's choice of hat was also previously worn for Trooping the Colour. It's the �895 Lock & Marisabel hat. It was described as a 'piece that has been handcrafted by Sylvia Fletcher, Lock & Co.'s leading milliner. The hat has been sculpted using sinamay and then finished with a curled feather in a matching tone.'
Kate carried her new Anne Grand-Clement clutch. There are similar clutches from the brand available at Baar and Bass.
The Duchess accessorised with her Balenciaga pearl earrings and pearl brooch (Kate clearly raided her Trooping wardrobe; the brooch was worn to the 2014 event). Kate wore a poppy on her lapel.
Kate's updo; as you can see the Duchess wore a hairnet.
Kate debuted a new pair of grey suede pumps, we'll update if they are identified.
Televised coverage can be viewed on the BBC Player. I will add a YouTube if one becomes available.
The Duke and Duchess will join Prince Charles for commemorations at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Tyne Cot Cemetery to mark the centenary of the first day of Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres.
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