Latest news with #LastPost
1News
7 days ago
- Politics
- 1News
Luxon starts Europe trip remembering NZ's past WWI sacrifice
Christopher Luxon's Europe trip has opened with the Prime Minister paying tribute to New Zealanders who served in World War I in Belgium's historic Ypres. Luxon gave a reading of the Ode of Remembrance and laid a wreath as part of the Last Post ceremony under the Menin Gate. He said listening to the rousing sound of bagpipers made him think of two things. "For New Zealand, this is really significant because we lost almost 5,000 of our young people here — more than what we lost in Gallipoli — so it's really special for me to be able to be here tonight," the Prime Minister said. "And also tomorrow, to actually pay our respects to the fallen that have come before us and served New Zealand so well." ADVERTISEMENT "Standing up for values that we see again with a European war happening in this day and age, 110 years later, that has some of the same characteristics — so it's a real pleasure to be here, a real honour to be here, and I thought it was a very moving ceremony." Luxon said the comparison between the two conflicts, a century apart, was front of mind — both Kiwi defence efforts in World War I and its current support for Ukraine. The second thought on his mind was his personal connection to WWI, with his great-grandfather having served. Prime Minster Christopher Luxon (Source: 1News) "I've read his letters home and in fact just last weekend I was in South Canterbury talking to a lot of family relatives about the experience as well, looking at different family history and photos," he said. "It was pretty special to be here on a personal level but also representing New Zealand." Luxon acknowledged the enthusiasm of the younger generations of Ypres, who he said continue to "take it seriously" and pay tribute to the sacrifice of other countries in WWI. ADVERTISEMENT The Menin Gate event commemorates more than 54,000 soldiers from Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and the UK who died in the region but have no known grave. Only the names of 84 New Zealanders who served in British or other Commonwealth forces are marked on the gate, with soldiers from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force commemorated closer to where they were killed in battle. The Last Post ceremony has taken place in Ypres every night since 1928, with the event only stopping during Germany's occupation in World War II. The world leaders discussed a range of tricky topics, including the war in the Middle East and a suspension of funding to the Cook Islands. (Source: 1News) Speaking about his time in Ypres, Brussels and the Netherlands over the next five days, Luxon said the trip was about strengthening economic and security ties with European countries and the Indo-Pacific Four — the group of NATO partners in the region that includes Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. This is the fourth consecutive year New Zealand has been invited to attend the annual NATO summit. "It's really important that we advocate for the rules-based system, that we reaffirm that from a trading point of view but from a security, defence point of view… in a volatile, complex world prosperity and security go together, they're inextricably linked and so you need to be able to have conversations on both sides of that coin." ADVERTISEMENT Only member countries will take part in the main meeting on Wednesday, where NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is expected to propose that countries commit to spending 5% of GDP on core defence and defence-related costs such as infrastructure. Luxon will take part in other engagements during the two-day event, including bilateral talks with other leaders. He will also meet with European Commission leaders before the NATO summit.
Powys County Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
King remembers victims of Air India plane disaster at Trooping the Colour
The King has celebrated his official birthday with an eco-friendly flypast by the Red Arrows and remembered all those killed in the Air India plane disaster. Trooping the Colour was a display of military pomp and pageantry but Charles asked for the traditional programme to include a minute's silence, and for senior royals and officers taking part to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. When the royal family gathered later on Buckingham Palace's balcony they acknowledged the crowds and watched an aerial display of vintage and modern aircraft with the Red Arrows' finale powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel. The world-famous aerobatic team also used vegetable oil to produce their trademark red, white and blue vapour trails over the royal residence – believed to be a first. Trooping, also known as the King's Birthday Parade, fell silent after Charles had inspected hundreds of troops on Whitehall's Horse Guards Parade from a carriage with the Queen by his side. The moment of reflection acknowledged the aviation disaster on Thursday that killed 241 passengers and crew, including more than 50 British nationals, and around 30 people on the ground. Charles led the royal colonels in wearing black armbands, with the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards, all wearing bands on their left arms. Young royals delighted monarchy fans by making an appearance, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis riding in a carriage with their mother Kate. George, Charlotte and Louis joined other members of the royal family, including the Duchess of Edinburgh in the former office of the Duke of Wellington, to watch the spectacle in honour of their grandfather the King. Kate took her place next to the King and Queen on the dais, in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards – a symbolic position and one she was unable to take up last year because she was receiving cancer treatment, and instead watched the ceremony with her children. Trooping the Colour is as much a social occasion as a ceremonial celebration, and stands around Horse Guards Parade were filled with around 8,000 wives, girlfriends and parents of the guardsmen and officers on parade. The colour – or regimental flag – being trooped this year was the King's Colour of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, also known as the sovereign's bodyguard, which is celebrating its 375th anniversary. The minute's silence was observed when Charles and Camilla returned to the dais, following an announcement to the spectators and a bugler sounding the Last Post. During the pageantry, the colour was first trooped through the ranks of soldiers before the guardsmen marched past the King, first in slow then in quick time, with Charles acknowledging the command of 'eyes right' with a salute. Lieutenant Max Martin, 24, who carried the regimental flag at the heart of the ceremony, said: 'The King's Colour emphasises and symbolises everything that has ever gone before in the Coldstream Guards. 'The gold embroidered silk of the flag is physically heavy, especially in the flourish, but the symbolic weight is heavier still. 'It bears 44 of our 113 battle honours: the achievements and sacrifices of countless generations of our forebears.' Thousands lined the royal procession route from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where Trooping was staged. A group of activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a 'not my King' protest. During the fly-past Louis, who was dressed in an identical red tie and suit outfit as older brother George, was seen chatting to his father, William, and waving to the crowds. The sustainable display be the Red Arrows is in keeping with Charles decades long support for sustainability and climate action. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King was not involved in the decision but was 'delighted' because he has been encouraging use of the fuel on royal flights where practical and hopes the example will lead to wider use across the aviation sector.
South Wales Argus
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
King remembers victims of Air India plane disaster at Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour was a display of military pomp and pageantry but Charles asked for the traditional programme to include a minute's silence, and for senior royals and officers taking part to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. When the royal family gathered later on Buckingham Palace's balcony they acknowledged the crowds and watched an aerial display of vintage and modern aircraft with the Red Arrows' finale powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel. The world-famous aerobatic team also used vegetable oil to produce their trademark red, white and blue vapour trails over the royal residence – believed to be a first. Trooping, also known as the King's Birthday Parade, fell silent after Charles had inspected hundreds of troops on Whitehall's Horse Guards Parade from a carriage with the Queen by his side. The moment of reflection acknowledged the aviation disaster on Thursday that killed 241 passengers and crew, including more than 50 British nationals, and around 30 people on the ground. The Queen, the King, Prince Louis, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Aaron Chown/PA) Charles led the royal colonels in wearing black armbands, with the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards, all wearing bands on their left arms. Young royals delighted monarchy fans by making an appearance, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis riding in a carriage with their mother Kate. George, Charlotte and Louis joined other members of the royal family, including the Duchess of Edinburgh in the former office of the Duke of Wellington, to watch the spectacle in honour of their grandfather the King. Kate took her place next to the King and Queen on the dais, in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards – a symbolic position and one she was unable to take up last year because she was receiving cancer treatment, and instead watched the ceremony with her children. Kate with Charlotte, Louis and George (Jonathan Brady/PA) Trooping the Colour is as much a social occasion as a ceremonial celebration, and stands around Horse Guards Parade were filled with around 8,000 wives, girlfriends and parents of the guardsmen and officers on parade. The colour – or regimental flag – being trooped this year was the King's Colour of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, also known as the sovereign's bodyguard, which is celebrating its 375th anniversary. The minute's silence was observed when Charles and Camilla returned to the dais, following an announcement to the spectators and a bugler sounding the Last Post. During the pageantry, the colour was first trooped through the ranks of soldiers before the guardsmen marched past the King, first in slow then in quick time, with Charles acknowledging the command of 'eyes right' with a salute. The Red Arrows flypast, seen from Horse Guards Parade (Jonathan Brady/PA) Lieutenant Max Martin, 24, who carried the regimental flag at the heart of the ceremony, said: 'The King's Colour emphasises and symbolises everything that has ever gone before in the Coldstream Guards. 'The gold embroidered silk of the flag is physically heavy, especially in the flourish, but the symbolic weight is heavier still. 'It bears 44 of our 113 battle honours: the achievements and sacrifices of countless generations of our forebears.' Thousands lined the royal procession route from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where Trooping was staged. Not My King protesters wave banners on the The Mall following the Trooping the Colour ceremony (Aaron Chown/PA) A group of activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a 'not my King' protest. During the fly-past Louis, who was dressed in an identical red tie and suit outfit as older brother George, was seen chatting to his father, William, and waving to the crowds. The sustainable display be the Red Arrows is in keeping with Charles decades long support for sustainability and climate action. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King was not involved in the decision but was 'delighted' because he has been encouraging use of the fuel on royal flights where practical and hopes the example will lead to wider use across the aviation sector.
Glasgow Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
King remembers victims of Air India plane disaster at Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour was a display of military pomp and pageantry but Charles asked for the traditional programme to include a minute's silence, and for senior royals and officers taking part to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. When the royal family gathered later on Buckingham Palace's balcony they acknowledged the crowds and watched an aerial display of vintage and modern aircraft with the Red Arrows' finale powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel. The world-famous aerobatic team also used vegetable oil to produce their trademark red, white and blue vapour trails over the royal residence – believed to be a first. Trooping, also known as the King's Birthday Parade, fell silent after Charles had inspected hundreds of troops on Whitehall's Horse Guards Parade from a carriage with the Queen by his side. The moment of reflection acknowledged the aviation disaster on Thursday that killed 241 passengers and crew, including more than 50 British nationals, and around 30 people on the ground. The Queen, the King, Prince Louis, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Aaron Chown/PA) Charles led the royal colonels in wearing black armbands, with the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards, all wearing bands on their left arms. Young royals delighted monarchy fans by making an appearance, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis riding in a carriage with their mother Kate. George, Charlotte and Louis joined other members of the royal family, including the Duchess of Edinburgh in the former office of the Duke of Wellington, to watch the spectacle in honour of their grandfather the King. Kate took her place next to the King and Queen on the dais, in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards – a symbolic position and one she was unable to take up last year because she was receiving cancer treatment, and instead watched the ceremony with her children. Kate with Charlotte, Louis and George (Jonathan Brady/PA) Trooping the Colour is as much a social occasion as a ceremonial celebration, and stands around Horse Guards Parade were filled with around 8,000 wives, girlfriends and parents of the guardsmen and officers on parade. The colour – or regimental flag – being trooped this year was the King's Colour of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, also known as the sovereign's bodyguard, which is celebrating its 375th anniversary. The minute's silence was observed when Charles and Camilla returned to the dais, following an announcement to the spectators and a bugler sounding the Last Post. During the pageantry, the colour was first trooped through the ranks of soldiers before the guardsmen marched past the King, first in slow then in quick time, with Charles acknowledging the command of 'eyes right' with a salute. The Red Arrows flypast, seen from Horse Guards Parade (Jonathan Brady/PA) Lieutenant Max Martin, 24, who carried the regimental flag at the heart of the ceremony, said: 'The King's Colour emphasises and symbolises everything that has ever gone before in the Coldstream Guards. 'The gold embroidered silk of the flag is physically heavy, especially in the flourish, but the symbolic weight is heavier still. 'It bears 44 of our 113 battle honours: the achievements and sacrifices of countless generations of our forebears.' Thousands lined the royal procession route from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where Trooping was staged. Not My King protesters wave banners on the The Mall following the Trooping the Colour ceremony (Aaron Chown/PA) A group of activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a 'not my King' protest. During the fly-past Louis, who was dressed in an identical red tie and suit outfit as older brother George, was seen chatting to his father, William, and waving to the crowds. The sustainable display be the Red Arrows is in keeping with Charles decades long support for sustainability and climate action. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King was not involved in the decision but was 'delighted' because he has been encouraging use of the fuel on royal flights where practical and hopes the example will lead to wider use across the aviation sector.
Western Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
King remembers victims of Air India plane disaster at Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour was a display of military pomp and pageantry but Charles asked for the traditional programme to include a minute's silence, and for senior royals and officers taking part to wear black armbands as a mark of respect. When the royal family gathered later on Buckingham Palace's balcony they acknowledged the crowds and watched an aerial display of vintage and modern aircraft with the Red Arrows' finale powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel. The world-famous aerobatic team also used vegetable oil to produce their trademark red, white and blue vapour trails over the royal residence – believed to be a first. Trooping, also known as the King's Birthday Parade, fell silent after Charles had inspected hundreds of troops on Whitehall's Horse Guards Parade from a carriage with the Queen by his side. The moment of reflection acknowledged the aviation disaster on Thursday that killed 241 passengers and crew, including more than 50 British nationals, and around 30 people on the ground. The Queen, the King, Prince Louis, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Aaron Chown/PA) Charles led the royal colonels in wearing black armbands, with the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards, all wearing bands on their left arms. Young royals delighted monarchy fans by making an appearance, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis riding in a carriage with their mother Kate. George, Charlotte and Louis joined other members of the royal family, including the Duchess of Edinburgh in the former office of the Duke of Wellington, to watch the spectacle in honour of their grandfather the King. Kate took her place next to the King and Queen on the dais, in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards – a symbolic position and one she was unable to take up last year because she was receiving cancer treatment, and instead watched the ceremony with her children. Kate with Charlotte, Louis and George (Jonathan Brady/PA) Trooping the Colour is as much a social occasion as a ceremonial celebration, and stands around Horse Guards Parade were filled with around 8,000 wives, girlfriends and parents of the guardsmen and officers on parade. The colour – or regimental flag – being trooped this year was the King's Colour of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, also known as the sovereign's bodyguard, which is celebrating its 375th anniversary. The minute's silence was observed when Charles and Camilla returned to the dais, following an announcement to the spectators and a bugler sounding the Last Post. During the pageantry, the colour was first trooped through the ranks of soldiers before the guardsmen marched past the King, first in slow then in quick time, with Charles acknowledging the command of 'eyes right' with a salute. The Red Arrows flypast, seen from Horse Guards Parade (Jonathan Brady/PA) Lieutenant Max Martin, 24, who carried the regimental flag at the heart of the ceremony, said: 'The King's Colour emphasises and symbolises everything that has ever gone before in the Coldstream Guards. 'The gold embroidered silk of the flag is physically heavy, especially in the flourish, but the symbolic weight is heavier still. 'It bears 44 of our 113 battle honours: the achievements and sacrifices of countless generations of our forebears.' Thousands lined the royal procession route from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade where Trooping was staged. Not My King protesters wave banners on the The Mall following the Trooping the Colour ceremony (Aaron Chown/PA) A group of activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a 'not my King' protest. During the fly-past Louis, who was dressed in an identical red tie and suit outfit as older brother George, was seen chatting to his father, William, and waving to the crowds. The sustainable display be the Red Arrows is in keeping with Charles decades long support for sustainability and climate action. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King was not involved in the decision but was 'delighted' because he has been encouraging use of the fuel on royal flights where practical and hopes the example will lead to wider use across the aviation sector.
