The British Royal Family attended commemorations for the Battle of the Somme Centenary in France on July 1st. The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke & Duchess of Gloucester attended a service at the Thiepval Memorial.
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Earlier in the day, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were joined by President Hollande of France to visit the newly renovated visitors center at the Thiepval Memorial. They also met officials. A video was also released of the group being guided around the museum by English and French speaking tour guides.
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For the main ceremony, the group was joined by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Sir Timothy Laurence, Duke & Duchess of Gloucester,Prime Minister David Cameron and Ireland’s President, Michael Higgins.The Duchess of Cornwall also laid flowers at the grave of her Great Uncle, Captain Harry Cubitt. The large group stood for the national anthems. 10000 dignitaries, guests and members of the public watched film footage of the Battle, while British and French children laid wreaths on the graves of the soldiers.
Later, after the ceremony, the Royals met the children who laid the wreaths. The Duchess was described by reporter Emily Andrews: “Kate giggled as she spoke French “it’s about GCSE level” but was praised for her “very good” language skills by kid” Prince Harry was described: “PHarry tried some faltering French w Berteel, 11.”How old are you….Ahhh onze, eleven. How’s my French? Not bad?” But afterwards Berteel said: “Of course I said his French was good, but I didn’t really understand what he said!“”
The Prince of Wales wore a double-breasted blue suit with a blue striped tie and his medals. The Duchess of Cornwall wore a navy Bruce Oldfield coat with a white and blue hat. She also wore her Pearl Choker with Large Diamond Clasp and a wearing a diamond badge, from her father’s regiment. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a new dress crafted of cream lace atop a black underlay with a Lock & Co. hat and her Annoushka pearl drop earrings. The Duke of Cambridge wore a navy suit with a red and blue striped tie and his medals.
The Duchess of Gloucester wore a navy coat and a light blue hat with pearls and ruby clips. Prince Harry, the Duke of Gloucester and Sir Timothy Laurence wore navy suits with ties and their medals.
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