The Life of Victoria

3.0

13 November 2016 

It was an early morning for the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk today. Dressed in dark colours and natural make up, Tori and Henry got ready for the day full of remembrance. They both had their poppies pinned to their chest, Henry in a creaseless black suit while Tori wore a black dress with a matching military style coat and a Phillip Tracey hat. She wore little to no jewellery, except for a pair of earrings, her wedding ring and her engagement ring.

The pair got ready for the day before heading to Whitehall to meet with the rest of the family. They went through the back entrance of Whitehall, arriving third last before Queen. Tori and Henry greeted their family members who were there already. They also greeted Prime Minister Theresa May, who gave both Henry and Tori deep curtsies.

Shortly after Tori and Henry arrived, Will, Kate and Harry arrived from Kensington followed by Charles and Camilla from Clarence House. Usually Tori and Henry would arrive together with Will, Kate and Harry but since they now lived in different households, Tori and Henry would arrive first.

Not long after, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Whitehall. Tori and Henry greeted them when they entered with bows and curtsies before getting into formation to head outside. With Tori standing next to her brother William and Henry heading upstairs to watch from the balcony with Kate, Camilla and Sophie.

The politicians were to head out first after the Bishop of London and the Chapel Royal's procession. Once they got into their positions on the side, it the turn of the representatives of the commonwealth to head outside holding their wreathes. They were followed by the religious representatives, altogether, took three sides of the Cenotaph.

As they were taking their places, those who were on the balcony got into their positions as well. With the centre balcony holding The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke of Suffolk and The Countess of Wessex.

It was one minute away from 11 o'clock when The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh head out of the building to take their places. Followed by The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal, The Duke of Kent, The Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex, The Duke of Cambridge, The Duchess of Suffolk and Prince Harry. They were each accompanied by their equerries, who would pass them their wreathes once the two minutes were up.

With The Queen at the head, slightly behind her were the Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales. On their right were the Wales children, with The Duke of Cambridge in the middle, Prince Harry on his right and The Duchess of Suffolk on his left. On the left side of the Queen were the Princess Royal, with the Duke of Kent, Earl of Wessex and Duke of York. Situated behind them were their equerries, holding their wreath.

Right as everyone took their positions, the bell rang to mark the start of the two minutes of silence.

Chatters came to a complete stop, traffic came to a halt, even the birds stopped chirping, as if knowing what an important moment this is.

The sound of cannon broke the tense moment everybody in the nation is feeling while trumpets started playing.

An equerry marched past the Wales sibling to hand The Queen her wreath before saluting to her once she's taking the wreath. She walked ahead putting the crown of poppies down against the Cenotaph right at the centre. She then walked a few steps back before bowing her head in respect of the fallen.

Once the Queen is back where she started, it was The Duke of Edinburgh's turn to lay his wreath, followed by the Prince of Wales.

In a group of three, the Wales siblings got their wreath and march forwards together, in sync as they paid their respects to the many that have fallen during different wars.

Henry, looking down at his wife, could feel the deep feeling of sorrow, knowing his brother is somewhere in the crowd as well. He took a deep breath as he watched his wife and his two brothers-in-law put down their wreaths in sync, never out of tempo with each other. They took a step back, Tori bowing her head while William and Harry saluted to the cenotaph, before turning and returning back to their posts.

A few minutes gone by, as they waited for Anne, Andrew, Edward and Edward (The Duke of Kent) to lay their wreaths. They then watched the Prime Minister lay her wreath along with other members of parliament that holds the government.

It was then the High Commissioners turn, representing different countries of the Commonwealth such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Malaysia.

Then it was the next group of High Commissioners representing different countries of the Commonwealth.

It was then the service chiefs turn, the Royal Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

The Bishop of London gave a short service, before the children of Chapel Royal sang the hymns.

The trumpets played before God Save The Queen was played and sung.

The Royals bowed their heads and saluted one last time to the Cenotaph before back inside the Whitehall building, while those on the balcony head inside as well once The Queen is inside.

Back inside the building, Victoria sought out Henry for some comfort as they head to another hall where lunch is being served.

It truly is a day full of reflection and a heavy heart for the Nation.