Prince Charles Lays Wreath At Service To Mark Battle Of Britain's 75th Anniversary
Prince Charles Lays Wreath At Battle Of Britain Service
Steven Hopkins— The Huffington Post UK
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The Prince of Wales has joined Battle of Britain pilots and air crew in marking the 75th anniversary of the crucial aerial conflict at Westminster Abbey.
Prince Charles laid a wreath in front of a full congregation of 2,200 people who gathered for the annual service to remember the remarkable victory as well as the loss of life.
Seven veterans who flew hurricane or spitfire aircraft during the historic Second World War event escorted the Battle of Britain roll of honour, containing the names of those who died during the conflict, to the altar of the abbey, the Associated Press reported.
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Prince Charles laid a wreath at Westminster Abbey to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon also attended Sunday's service.
Charles later met with the veterans during a reception at Church House, before watching a flypast of four spitfire and two hurricanes.
The service comes after the biggest gathering of Battle of Britain aircraft since the Second World War to mark the aerial conflict's 75th anniversary on Tuesday, attended by Prince Harry.
The 1940 Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely in the skies, with the help of servicemen from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia France, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Poland, Rhodesia, South Africa, America and Newfoundland.
Over 544 RAF pilots and aircrew died in the critical phase of the Second World War.
Charles has attended the Battle of Britain service over 10 times, including the 50th, 60th and 70th anniversaries.
In 2010, he commissioned 15 portraits of surviving servicemen by alumni and faculty of The Prince's Drawing School, one of The Prince's Charities.
A range of events have already been staged over the past few months to mark the fighting, which raged between July and October 1940.
This week a service was held at St Paul's Cathedral on Battle of Britain Day - the name given to the day, on September 151940, when the Luftwaffe launched its largest attack against London.
Prince Charles at Battle of Britain 75th anniversary
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The Prince of Wales is presented with a Wreath by Lord Soames to be placed on the memorial stone for his grandfather Sir Winston Churchill before a service at Westminster Abbey, London to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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The Prince of Wales joins Battle of Britain veterans (left to right) Richard Summers, Tony Pickering, Geoffrey Wellum, Paul Farnes, Tom Neil, Terry Clark, and Ken Wilkinson during a reception at Church House following a service at Westminster Abbey, London to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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The Prince of Wales enjoys a joke with Geoffrey Wellum a veteran of the Battle of Britain during a reception at Church House following a service at Westminster Abbey, London to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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The Prince of Wales talking with Wing Commander Tom Neil, a veteran of the Battle of Britain during a reception at Church House following a service at Westminster Abbey, London to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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The Prince of Wales lays a Wreath on the memorial stone Sir Winston Churchill, before a service at Westminster Abbey, London to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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The Prince of Wales leaves Westminster Abbey in central London after a service to mark the 75th anniversary for the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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A fly past by four Spitfires and two Hurricanes at Westminster Abbey in central London after a service to mark the 75th anniversary for the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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The Prince of Wales talks to the Dean of Westminster Abbey Dr John Hall, at Westminster Abbey in central London before a service to mark the 75th anniversary for the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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The Prince of Wales watches as the RAF Flag is brought up to the altar at Westminster Abbey in central London during a service to mark the 75th anniversary for the Battle of Britain. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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Battle of Britain veteran Squadron Leader T Pickering takes part in a rehearsal ahead of the Battle of Britain service at Westminster Abbey on September 20, 2015 in London, England. The service marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1940, honouring the Royal Air Force pilots and aircrew who took part in this phase of World War Two. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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A member of the Royal Air Force carries the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour during a rehearsal ahead of the Battle of Britain service at Westminster Abbey on September 20, 2015 in London, England. The service marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1940, honouring the Royal Air Force pilots and aircrew who took part in this phase of the Second World War. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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Battle of Britain veterans (L-R) Wing Commander R Summers, Wing Commander P Farnes, Squadron Leader G Wellum, Flying Officer K Wilkinson, Squadron Leader T Pickering and Wing Commander T Neil stand for a portrait ahead of the Battle of Britain service at Westminster Abbey on September 20, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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Medals are worn by Battle of Britain veteran Squadron Leader T Pickering at the Battle of Britain service at Westminster Abbey on September 20, 2015 in London, England. The service marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1940, honouring the Royal Air Force pilots and aircrew who took part in this phase of World War Two. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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Battle of Britain veterans take part in a rehearsal ahead of the Battle of Britain service at Westminster Abbey on September 20, 2015 in London, England. The service marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1940, honouring the Royal Air Force pilots and aircrew who took part in this phase of World War Two. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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Battle of Britain veterans (L-R) Wing Commander R Summers, Wing Commander P Farnes, Squadron Leader G Wellum, Flying Officer K Wilkinson, Squadron Leader T Pickering, Wing Commander T Neil stand for a portrait ahead of the Battle of Britain service at Westminster Abbey on September 20, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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A member of the Royal Air Force carries the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour during a rehearsal ahead of the Battle of Britain service at Westminster Abbey on September 20, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)