Queen Elizabeth's War Tribute

12 November 2009

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip led tributes to fallen World War I soldiers at an Armistice Day memorial service.

The monarch arrived at London's Westminster Abbey yesterday (11.11.09) for the service attended by senior politicians and heads of the Armed Forces.

The congregation of over 2,000 guests - all wearing poppies to honour the war dead - saw the queen, dressed in bright purple, lay a circular poppy wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

It came after a two-minute silence at 11am - observed by millions across the UK.

The service was held following the deaths of the final three veterans of the war living in Britain.

Harry Patch, 111, William Stone, aged 108, and Henry Allingham, 113, who all attended last year's commemorations, died earlier this year.

Their relatives however attended the ceremony and William's daughter Anne Davidson gave a reading.

The sole British survivor of the First World War is now former seaman Claude Choules, who is aged 108 and lives in Australia.

The service, held exactly 91 years after the end of the war, recognised the contributions of both the Armed Forces and civilians during the First World War.

British prime minister Gordon Brown, the Duchess of Gloucester, patron of the World War One Veterans Association, were among the dignitaries in attendance.

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