HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ATTENDS THE 95TH FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Thursday 9th November 2023
Her Majesty The Queen will attend the 95th year of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.
In 1928, Major George Howson MC suggested using land outside Westminster Abbey as a place where anyone could plant a poppy in memory of a loved one. This established a Remembrance tradition which has continued for 95 years.
Upon arrival, the Queen will be greeted by the Dean of Westminster Abbey, the Very Reverend David Hoyle. Dr Hoyle will invite Her Majesty to meet several members of abbey staff, the National President of the Royal British Legion, Vice Admiral Sir Clive Johnstone, and the President of the Poppy Factory, Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis.
Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis will invite the Queen to stand in front of the Cross of Remembrance and prayers will be offered by the Dean of Westminster and the Canon-in-Residence, after which Her Majesty will be invited to lay a Cross of Remembrance.
This is followed by the ‘Exhortation to Remembrance’ and the chimes of Big Ben at 1100hrs.
After a two-minute silence, the Queen will be invited to meet the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, and a short line-up of staff and supporters of the Poppy Factory.
Admiral Jarvis will then invite Her Majesty to review the plots for regimental and other associations.
Moving inside St. Margaret’s Church, the Queen will be invited to sign the visitors’ book and meet members of the clergy before departing.
Field of Remembrance
The Field of Remembrance has been organised by the Poppy Factory and held in the grounds of Westminster Abbey since November 1928, to commemorate those who have lost their lives serving in the Armed Forces.
Ex-service men and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross or a symbol carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others. This year there are 308 plots including plots that Her Majesty is associated with including The Rifles, The Royal Lancers, The Grenadier Guards, The Royal Army Champlain’s Department, The Submariner Association (HMS Astute).
Her Majesty The Queen arrives for the opening of this year's of Field of Remembrance. pic.twitter.com/HqJXvxX1KU
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) November 9, 2023
Her Majesty The Queen lays a Cross of Remembrance ahead of the observance of a two-minute silence.#RemembranceDay #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/214L74FEGh
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) November 9, 2023
