Queen Camilla today paid tribute to Britain’s war dead with a visit to the powerful new display of 30,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London.
The striking installation, The Tower Remembers, marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War and symbolises a “wound” running through the fortress walls.
Poppies spill from the White Tower in a dramatic cascade, forming a crater at its base to represent the human cost of war. The Tower itself was hit in the Blitz, killing five people.
The Queen visited on Tuesday as part of commemorations for VE Day, which began on Monday with the spectacular procession and flypast in the Mall.
Wrapped up in a red dress and black cape, Camilla wore leather gloves decorated with poppies.
“It was so cold this morning I thought it would be the perfect time to wear them,” she said.
Cheered by tourists, the Queen met Yeoman Warders, schoolchildren and two D-Day veterans — Henry Rice, 99, and Richard Aldred — who presented her and young Harrison Machin with poppies.
“It’s very nice to see you,” Camilla told them. “Not too cold?”
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage read a new poem In Retrospect before they planted the final flowers.
“That was lovely,” Camilla said. “These were given to me in France last year… This is rather beautiful, it really is.”
Mr Rice said: “She remembered me from Normandy — that is fabulous. A gentleman and his lady. That’s the best compliment I can pay them.”
The ceramic poppies were originally part of the 2014 sensation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, and have returned to the Tower 11 years on.
The Queen met the philanthropists who helped save the poppies after the 2014 display and joked: “They are so lovely, but they are not for sale!”
She signed the visitors’ book, met schoolchildren and ended her visit with a surprise walkabout to greet stunned tourists.
The poppies, which were made by artist Paul Cummins, will be on display until November 11.
VE Day, which this year will mark exactly 80 years since the end of the Second World War, is on Thursday.
