BBC News | World War I | Pictures from the Armistice service


Front Page
World
UK
UK Politics
Business
Sci/Tech
Health
Education
Sport
Entertainment
Talking Point



On Air Feedback Low Graphics Help

Thursday, November 12, 1998 Published at 01:29 GMT

Pictures from the Armistice service

In bright sunshine, the Queen and French President Jacques Chirac joined veterans for remembrance ceremonies to commemorate those who died in World War I. Some of the evocative pictures from Wednesday's event appear below.

[ image: ]

The Queen arrived in Paris wearing a spray of five poppies fastened with a bow of diamonds.

[ image: ]

She was escorted down the tree-lined avenue of the Champs Elysees by a mounted squadron of the Presidential Guard.

[ image: ]

A fanfare sounded when the Queen's car halted at the Arc de Triomphe.

[ image: ]

Large crowds were keen to catch a glimpse of the Queen.

[ image: ]

Her host, French President Jacques Chirac, greeted his royal guest by offering a hand of friendship.

[ image: ]

The two heads of state paid homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

[ image: ]

Later, the French leader and the Queen went on a walkabout to meet some of the Great War veterans.

[ image: ]

A police officer, wearing a poppy on his cap, stood guard while a woman observed a moment of silence before the arrival of the Queen in the Belgian town of Ypres.

[ image: ]

The Queen and Irish President Mary McAleese attended the service of remembrance in Ypres and jointly inaugurated the Island of Ireland Peace Park.

[ image: ]

The Queen met veterans during an Armistice Day Parade under the Menin Gate in Ypres.

[ image: ]

Belgium's King Albert and the Queen stood beneath the Menin Gate as 55,000 poppy petals were dropped to commemorate the soldiers who died at Ypres.