Royal fans left confused as Sophie missing from BBC's Remembrance coverage

12 November 2023 , 13:20

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Royal fans left confused as Sophie missing from BBC's Remembrance coverage

Royal fans were left scratching their heads after the Duchess of Edinburgh was not shown on the BBC's Remembrance coverage alongside Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales.

In years gone by, Sophie has stood on a balcony overlooking the annual service with Kate and Camilla, meaning she was easily picked up by the TV cameras. However, like last year, she stood on another balcony of the Foreign Office, this time with Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. And once again, the move meant she was not shown on the live TV coverage - meaning some royal fans even questioned whether she was at today's event.

Sophie stood on a balcony next to Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence (PA)

One took to social media to ask: "Where was the Duchess of Edinburgh today?" while another pondered: "Where was Sophie, The duchess of Edinburgh, today?" Meanwhile, another said: "Very disappointed the cameras didn't show Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh last night at the #RemembranceService at the Royal Albert Hall or today at the Cenotaph."

For the event today, Sophie, who was extremely close to the late Queen, wore the beautiful black coat dress she wore to her funeral last September. The piece by Suzannah London features a lily of the valley design, with the flower said to be the late monarch's favourite. Like Kate, Sophie wore three poppies pinned to the coat dress along with a black hat and elegant pearl earrings.

Kate and Camilla stood alone on another balcony (PA)

Today marked the second time King Charles has led the nation on Remembrance Sunday since he became monarch last year with a poignant two minutes' silence before laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, Central London. The monument is a physical reminder of all the servicemen who have served and sacrificed, including members of the emergency services and civilians who may have lost their lives in the line of duty fighting terror on the domestic front.

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As the first chimes of Big Ben rang out at 11am on Sunday and a two-minute silence began, Charles stood before the Cenotaph in his role as head of state. A volley from a gun fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from nearby Horse Guards Parade rang out to signal the start of the moment of silent reflection and another loud blast marked its end.

Wearing the uniform of The Marshal of the Royal Air Force with greatcoat, poppy and sword, Charles laid a wreath similar to the one produced for King George VI. The wreath features 41 open style poppy petals made from bonded fabric, hard-wearing paper.

In previous years, Sophie stood alongside Kate and Camilla (Getty Images)

A wreath was also laid on Queen Camilla's behalf by her equerry. She and the Princess of Wales stood on a balcony of the Foreign Office to watch the service. Other royals that lay wreaths at the base of the monument were Prince William. His wreath featured the white Prince of Wales feathers and bears a ribbon in "Welsh red". Prince Edward and Princess Anne also laid wreaths.

The late Queen, who died last year, considered Remembrance Sunday, which commemorates the war dead, one of the most significant and important engagements in the royal calendar. The nation’s longest reigning monarch, who lived through the Second World War as a teenager and was head of the armed forces, only missed seven Cenotaph services during her reign.

Jennifer Newton