King Charles’ Emotional Handwritten Message on His Remembrance Wreath Revealed
King Charles and other royals left handwritten notes on their wreaths on Remembrance Sunday.
Remembrance Day is one of the most poignant royal events on the annual calendar, and for many royals who have served in the military, the occasion would certainly be an emotional one. They are often spotted shedding a tear during the solemn ceremony honoring the soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty. King Charles, who is a Navy veteran, led the ceremony on Sunday and left a sombre message on his wreath.
The monarch placed a custom-designed Sovereign’s Wreath featuring 41 paper poppy petals mounted on a structural arrangement of black leaves. He also added a personal note in his handwriting reading, “In everlasting remembrance.” Prince William, Prince Edward, and Princess Anne also laid wreaths, and an equerry placed a wreath on behalf of Queen Camilla, who watched the ceremony alongside Princess Catherine from the balconies of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) building. Each wreath reportedly carried a handwritten note.
The red poppy, a flower that grows in disturbed soil, symbolizes sacrifice and resilience and is worn during Remembrance Month to honor military personnel. The royal family usually pin it on their outfits during public engagements throughout November and especially on Remembrance Day. On Sunday, Charles, William, Edward, and Anne wore one red poppy, while Camilla, Kate, and Duchess Sophie wore three poppies on their dark attire. The Palace has not confirmed why royals wear a certain number of red poppies.
This year, around 10,000 veterans took part in the Royal British Legion’s march-past after service, representing more than 300 Armed Forces and civilian organizations. Around a dozen Second World War veterans also took part in the service, with the oldest one being the 105-year-old Jeffrey Brereton, who served as a mechanic on the Hurricane aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Eight-year-old Ronan Doncaster was the youngest participant. He walked in honor of his father, a Guardsman in the First Battalion, Coldstream Guards, who passed away in April 2024.
Estranged royal veteran, Prince Harry, however, was not a part of the ceremony this year despite being in the UK. He spent Remembrance Sunday attending a memorial service in Brackley, Northamptonshire. The Duke of Sussex was spotted wearing his military medals and a bright red poppy.
Ahead of the Remembrance weekend, Harry also released a deeply emotional Remembrance letter, written in his role as the global ambassador for Scotty's, a U.K.-based military bereavement charity.
