Royal Families in Europe mark the Centenary of the end of World War I at 11.00 am on Sunday, 11 November 2018.

Belgium

King Philippe and Queen Matilde led the Belgians in commemorations at Ypres at the Menin Gate, to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice, with government representatives, Flemish government representatives and ambassadors of those countries who were part of the British Empire in 1918.

Philippe, King of the Belgians gives a speech at the Congress Column in Brussels. Photo: Belgian Monarchy

Read King Philippe’s Armistice Day Centenary Speech in English.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate, Ypres. Photo: Belgian Monarchy

The Centenary commemorations ended with a special performance of the Last Post at 8.00 pm.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attend Armistice Day commemorations. Photo: Belgian Monarchy

Prince Laurent represented his older brother King Philippe at the memorial service commemorating one hundred years since Canadian troops liberated Mons on 11 November 1918.

Prince Laurent attends a commemorative celebration at Mons. Photo: Belgian Monarchy

Denmark

Queen Margrethe II laid a wreath at the World War I memorial in Mindeparken at Aarhus to remember the 5,000 Danes who lost their lives.


Video: Forsvaret ©

Norway

Although Norway remained neutral, 1,748 seamen lost their lives during World War I because ships in the merchant navy fleet were attacked by countries at war.

The names of the 1,748 Norwegian seamen are etched onto eleven copper plates in the crypt of Sjømennenes Minnehallen in Stavern. King Haakon VII officially opened the Memorial on 1 August 1926.

The Minnehallen overlooks the sea at Stavern. Photo: Sven Sj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court

Mennehallen, or the Hall of Remembrance, is a national memorial, commissioned by the Norwegian Parliament after World War I.

Crown Prince Haakon paid his respects at a remembrance service where he laid a wreath to honour these brave men.

Crown Prince Haakon lays a wreath on the memorial for Norwegian seamen who lost their lives during World War I. Photo: Sven Sj. Gjeruldsen, The Royal Court

Serbia

Crown Prince Alexander attended the Armistice Day State Ceremony at the Serbian Military Cemetery, the Commonwealth War Cemetery, the Russian Military Cemetery and the French Military Cemetery.

Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia attends the Armistice Day Ceremony in Belgrade. Photo: Royal Palace Belgrade.

He laid wreaths with other dignitaries to remember those who lost their lives.

The Crown Prince’s grandfather, King Alexander I of Yugoslavia, was the Supreme Commander of the Kingdom of Serbia’s Army.

Serbia was allied with the Commonwealth countries, Russia and France and helped with the war effort.

Serbia lost over one million citizens, including 58% of their army and 57% of the male population during the conflict.

Following the memorial service, Crown Prince Alexander kicked off the World War I Centenary charity football match between Serbian journalists and Serbia Association teams at the King Peter I – FC Rad stadium.

Many football legends participated including Ljubinko Drulovic, Dusan Savic and Nenad Milijas playing for Serbia’s Football Association team whilst Milan Živadinović, Aleksandar Stojanović, Zoran Kesić, Mašan Lekić, Boris Malagurski, Predrag Popović – Pop and Darko Zlojutro on the journalists’ team.

Crown Prince Alexander with participants in the Kingdom of Serbia Association vs Journalists Charity Football Match. Photo: Royal Palace Belgrade.

Proceeds from ticket sales will support the Shelter for homeless children in Belgrade.


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