Duke opens Field of Remembrance

Thousands of wooden crosses lined the floor

The Duke of Edinburgh laid a cross in honour of Britain's war dead as he opened the Field of Remembrance.

He paid his respects to those who sacrificed their lives as he attended the annual service outside Westminster Abbey in London on Thursday.

Placing a small wooden cross, decorated with a scarlet poppy, the Duke stepped back and saluted.

The Last Post was sounded by trumpeters of the Household Cavalry and then a two minute silence was observed.

Thousands of wooden crosses lined the ground, each bearing a poppy and the words "In Remembrance".

We have 365 crosses because not many days have gone by since the Second World War without someone being killed Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Sibley

Some featured a hand-written name of a lost loved one, a date and the age of a fallen soldier.

The stark symbols were grouped in dozens of plots representing various regiments, ships and corps involved in conflicts from the First World War to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the Duke was shown those placed for the Royal Naval Association, he commented on the number of crosses.

Vice Admiral John McAnally said: "He remarked on how full the plot was."

The Duke also spoke to Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Sibley of the Household Cavalry's Blues & Royals.

Prince Harry is a cornet in the Blues & Royals and Prince William is due to join the regiment shortly.

Lt Col Sibley said: "We have 365 crosses, one for each day of the year. We like to think we remember everybody. We had three killed in Afghanistan recently.

"We have 365 crosses because not many days have gone by since the Second World War without someone being killed."