The British Royal Family is coming together next month to remember and honour those who lost their lives in military action and those affected by war.
Remembrance Day is still a week away; however, the period of remembrance has already commenced, as Poppy Day kicked off on 29 October. Personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, and over 2,000 veterans, volunteers, and supporters were handing out poppies in support of the British Legion. This annual period at the end of October running into the beginning of November allows those around the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth an opportunity to pause, reflect on, and honour the immense sacrifices people have made before us and the contributions of those affected by war and conflict, including all those lost during the First and Second World Wars.
Photo: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
The Royal Family plays a significant role in remembrance, leading the nation in numerous ceremonies and commemorations across the country. The focal point of the two weeks of events is the annual Remembrance Day Service, held at the Cenotaph in central London.
Photo: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025
On Friday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the entire Royal Family will be present to honour the fallen and those affected by war. King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined by Prince William and Catherine, Prince Edward and Sophie, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the ever-stalwart Duke of Kent.
The Palace notes that the King will lay a wreath, the design of which pays tribute to the wreath of His Majesty’s grandfather, King George VI, and mother, Queen Elizabeth II. 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 Queen’s wreath — laid on her behalf by her Equerry — bears Her Majesty’s racing colours, inherited from her grandfather, and echoes the wreath of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
The King and Queen’s wreaths were produced by The Poppy Factory, which has made Remembrance wreaths for the Royal Family for over a century and supports veterans and families on the path to employment. The factory helps more than 1,200 veterans and family members in England and Wales annually.
The Poppy Factory’s employment support began at its factory in Richmond upon Thames, where members of the production team have been making Remembrance wreaths for The Royal British Legion and the Royal Family since 1922.
Next Sunday, Prince William will lay the wreath previously laid by His Majesty as Prince of Wales, featuring the Prince of Wales Feathers. The wreath now bears a ribbon in Welsh red.
Earlier in the week, the Duchess of Gloucester, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, will attend the 98th year of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. The Duchess will be greeted by the Dean of Westminster and the President of the Poppy Factory, Vice Admiral Sir David Steel. After prayers, Her Royal Highness will plant a cross before the Last Post is sounded.
The royal family will also gather at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance. The annual
festival honours the service and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth Armed Forces personnel, past and present. 2026 holds particular meaning as the country and Commonwealth mark the anniversaries of operations in Bosnia, the end of the Gulf War, and the Iraq War. The Festival will reflect on the experiences of people whose lives were shaped by conflict, sharing personal stories and illuminating their memories through the distinctive light-blue airmail letters, known as “Blueys” – the distinctive light-blue airmail letters sent home to loved ones.
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