The magnificent evening of musical celebration, military precision drill and fireworks is carried out by the the Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry, the Massed Bands of the Household Division and guest performers.
The Duchess was welcomed upon arrival.
The two-day event is performed on Horse Guards Parade in front of St James's Park each year on the Wednesday and Thursday evening preceding Trooping the Colour. Funds raised go to service charities. A member of the Royal family is usually present on the second evening to take the salute.
Kate takes her place on the saluting dais.
We often discuss the history associated with royal events; there are very few dating back five hundred years as Beating Retreat does. In the 1690s the beating of the drum was used to signal troops to withdraw from fighting, and later heralded the the end of the day with the lowering of flags and closing of camp gates.
An order from the army of James II of England had his drums beating an order for his troops to retreat and a later order, from William III in 1694, read: "The Drum Major and Drummers of the Regiment which gives a Captain of the Main Guard are to beat the Retreat through the large street, or as may be ordered. They are to be answered by all the Drummers of the guards, and by four Drummers of each Regiment in their respective Quarters".
Today the concerts usually mark the lowering of the regimental flag at sunset.
The two successive evening are described as "epic", "London at its finest" and "a perfect event in a perfect venue".
The spectacular display of pageantry is performed by more than 750 soldiers in ceremonial uniform in front of a 6,500-strong crowd.
People reports:
'This year’s show is themed around “Icons of a Nation” and captures the varied roles of the Household Division’s soldiers. The music program included the theme music from The Longest Day, a film about the Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944, while the finale included “The Earl of Mansfield,” “Theme from Henry V” and “The Lord’s My Shepherd/Amazing Grace.” The evening ended with the moving “Last Post” played.
As well as the bands of the Household Division, including the Household Cavalry and five Foot Guards regiments, Kate and the many spectators were entertained by The Band, Pipe and Drums of the Royal Guard of Oman; The Band and Pipes of the Royal Regiment of Scotland; The Band of the Honourable Artillery Company; London Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums; National Cadet Force Pipes and Drums; The Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford; and The Royal Choral Society.'
Prince William took the salute for the first time in 2014. For the occasion, he wore the uniform of the Irish Guards, the regiment of which he became colonel in 2011. Addressing guests, he said: "As Colonel of the Irish Guards I am delighted to support the Household Division Beating Retreat. Year after year this wonderful event showcases the skill and professionalism of our military musicians whilst reinforcing the traditions and heritage for which we as a nation are justifiably proud and envied the world over." William took the salute again last year.
Other royals in attendance in recent years included, the Duke of York, Prince Harry, and the Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Philip was present on a number of occasions before his retirement. Below, Her Majesty at Beating Retreat in 2013.
A video from the event.
For the evening, the Duchess chose her cream Catherine Walker coat. The bespoke piece features a princess silhouette and front flap pockets. It's a timeless piece and perfect for formal royal occasions.
For the evening, the Duchess chose her cream Catherine Walker coat. The bespoke piece features a princess silhouette and front flap pockets. It's a timeless piece and perfect for formal royal occasions.
Kate debuted the piece during the Canada tour in 2016.
We saw the piece again for Easter Sunday service at Windsor in 2017.
Kate wore her trusty Gianvito Rossi praline pumps.
And carried her pink Mulberry clutch.
The Duchess accessorised with her Cassandra Goad Cavolfiore Pearl Studs. The £4,360 pair are described as "set with seven pearls set with diamonds (0.3cts). Inspired by the clusters of young flower stalks of the cauliflower (cavolfiore) in the market. From the Journey to Sicily".
For the military event, the Duchess wore the Irish Guards gold shamrock brooch. The three-leaf brooch, which has also been worn by the Queen Mother and Princess Anne, belongs to the regiment and they determine to whom it be loaned.
Kate wears the piece on St Patrick's Day to present shamrock. As mentioned earlier in the post, William is colonel of the regiment.
Kate's hair was styled in an elegant updo.
It's excellent to see Kate attending the important military event. I expect it will be the first of many times she'll take the salute.
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We've seen members of the Royal family attending military events around the UK and further afield, in honour of the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Given the significance of the day, I thought it appropriate to include some coverage here.
D-Day, 6th of June 1944, was the beginning of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. The largest seaborne assault in history, the operation began the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe and led to the restoration of the French Republic and contributed to an Allied victory in the war. Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel on D-Day, with nearly 5,000 landing and assault craft, 289 escort vessels and 277 minesweepers participating. Allied casualties on the day were reported as 10,000, with 2,500 dead.
The effort moved many. From the royal archives we see a draft message from King George VI (the Queen's father) to General Dwight Eisenhower, following his return from his visit to France on 16 June 1944. The King wrote: "I have visited the beaches of Normandy, which will be forever famous. All that I saw on my journey and on the soil of France, has moved me deeply. I have come home feeling an intense admiration for all those who planned and organised so vast a project and for the gallant and successful execution of it."
At a commemorative event in Portsmouth yesterday, Her Majesty led the nation in remembering the sacrifice made: "When I attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, some thought it might be the last such event. But the wartime generation - my generation - is resilient, and I am delighted to be with you in Portsmouth today. 75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. In a broadcast to the nation at that time, my Father, King George VI, said: '…what is demanded from us all is something more than courage and endurance; we need a revival of spirit, a new unconquerable resolve...' That is exactly what those brave men brought to the battle, as the fate of the world depended on their success. Many of them would never return, and the heroism, courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives will never be forgotten. It is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country – indeed the whole free world – that I say to you all, thank you."
This morning, Prince William joined D-Day veterans for a special commemorative service at the National Memorial Arboretum before laying a wreath at the Normandy Campaign Memorial. William read the words of his great-grandfather King George VI: "Four years ago our nation and empire stood alone against an overwhelming enemy, with our backs to the wall. Now once more a supreme test has to be faced. This time the challenge is not to fight to survive but to fight to win the final victory for the good cause. At this historic moment surely not one of us is too busy, too young, or too old to play a part in a nation-wide, perchance a world-wide vigil of prayer as the great crusade sets forth." The music in the video is 'The Shores of Normandy”, recorded by D-Day Veteran Jim Radford for the Normandy Memorial Trust.
Today we remember together the service and sacrifice of British, Commonwealth and Allied armed forces and their families as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings #DDay75thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/GQzLem1q6M— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 6, 2019
'As the Duke bent down on one knee to better hear elderly servicemen, Royal Navy veteran Victor Brunt, 94, joked: "I thought it was us who had to go on bended knee to you." Prince William told him: "Not you guys. It’s not a problem." John "Jack" Cannane, 95, of the Royal Electrical Engineers, told the Prince that he was under constant fire as he and his team tried to clear the stranded vehicles and landing craft so that the each wave could land.
"It was carnage. But I was a young man, only 20 and at that age you don’t really have any fear. Except of course the shock of seeing the bodies of young men on the beaches or floating in the water. But you just keep thinking to yourself that it isn’t going to be you. That’s the only way you survive I think," he said.'
Prince Harry spent the morning at the Royal Hospital Chelsea for the Founder’s Day Parade, with a number of veterans including several from the Normandy Landings. During a speech he paid tribute to their legacy: "Don’t ever underestimate the joy that you bring to everyone you meet. You represent something really quite special, you are special, and society will always recognise that. That is an important part of your legacy. It’s a community that focuses on supporting each other with kindness, respect and compassion, as well as reaching out to serve the wider community. On this 75th Anniversary of D-Day, I can comfortably speak for everyone when I say we are honoured to be in the presence of six Normandy Landing veterans."
Meanwhile in France, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall travelled to Bayeux for commemoration events. Speaking about the poignant anniversary, the future King said: "I remember the last time we were there, I will never forget the determination that they still exude by being there. Being at the cemeteries and being at the commemorations. They always remember their comrades and their friends and the people they had to leave behind. This country lost countless special people and we owe it to them and their families to go on commemorating this. This is probably the last chance to pay everlasting respect."
Prince Charles commissioned portraits of twelve D-Day veterans which are currently on display at Portsmouth City Museum. Below, Dr Tony Leake, Corporal with the 8th Batallion the Parachute Regiment, took part in the mass parachute drop behind the German lines. He blew bridges over the River Dives and set up defensive positions.
This touching photo dominates tomorrow's front pages.
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In other news, Kensington Palace announced another addition to Kate's June calendar. Next Wednesday, 12 June, in her role as patron of Action on Addiction, Kate will will attend the first annual gala dinner in recognition of Addiction Awareness Week, hosted by Action on Addiction and chef Skye Gyngell. She will deliver a speech to celebrate the work of the charity.
We'll see the Cambridge family (very possibly including Louis' first appearance) for Trooping the Colour on Saturday morning!
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