The important job six military officers carried out for the Royal Family at the Cenotaph

While King Charles led the Royal Family in honouring Britain’s war dead at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, a number of military officers were entrusted with another important responsibility during the solemn ceremony.

Several members of the Royal Family had their wreaths carried or laid by officers from the Armed Forces, reflecting the close relationships between the monarchy and Britain’s military.

Among them was Major Ben Rigby of the Royal Marines, who carried the King’s wreath during the ceremony in Whitehall.

His Majesty, wearing the uniform of Marshal of the Royal Air Force, laid the wreath himself at the foot of the Cenotaph, continuing the Sovereign’s traditional role in the national act of remembrance.

Queen Camilla’s wreath was laid by her equerry, Major Rob Treasure of The Rifles.

The Queen has a number of military affiliations, including Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, and her relationship with the Armed Forces is particularly personal. Her father, Major Bruce Shand, served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War.

The Prince of Wales also laid his own wreath, which had been carried by Squadron Leader Mike Reynolds of the Royal Air Force.

Prince William completed seven and a half years of full-time operational military service before leaving operational service in 2013. He continues to support serving personnel and veterans through his royal work.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s wreath was carried by Captain the Honourable Will Jack of the Scots Guards.

Prince Edward has a longstanding relationship with the Armed Forces and has served as Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry for more than 20 years. He is also Colonel of the Scots Guards, having taken on the appointment in April 2024.

The Princess Royal’s wreath was carried by Lieutenant Colonel Catherine Skinner of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.

Princess Anne holds the rank of Admiral in the Royal Navy, General in the Army and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force, making her one of the Royal Family’s most closely connected members to the three services.

The Duke of Kent was also represented by his equerry, Captain Thomas Baker-Cresswell of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Carabiniers and Greys, who laid a wreath on his behalf.

The Duke served in the Armed Forces for 21 years, including more than two decades with the Royal Scots Greys, before retiring from the Army in 1976.

The officers’ involvement offered another reminder of the longstanding relationship between the Royal Family and the Armed Forces, as the nation gathered to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.