Royal Watch News

Duchess Catherine pays tribute to war dead

Nov 12, 2012, 12:02 GMT

Duchess Catherine

Britain's Duchess Catherine paid tribute to the nation's war dead in London yesterday (11.11.12).

The 30-year-old royal was joined by Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, where 10,000 veterans marched.

The duchess watched from a balcony as the monarch - wearing all black - laid a wreath at the monument.

Big Ben rang at 11am, and the UK fell into two minutes of silence.

Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg also laid tributes at the Cenotaph, with former Prime Ministers John Major and Tony Blair also in attendance.

Helen Hill from the Royal British Legion said: 'The coming centenary of the First World War only serves to remind us that the needs of those in the Armed Forces are as great as ever.

'Disability, separation from family, homelessness - the problems of today are sadly all too similar to those of 100 years ago.'

Huge crowds attended the event in London and across the UK, with the National Arboretum in Staffordshire attracting 3,000 people.