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Sunday 22 of December 2024

Queen Unveils Memorial to Those Who Served in Recent Wars


Britain's Queen Elizabeth unveils a national memorial honoring the Armed Forces and civilians who served their country during the Gulf War and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, in London Thursday March 9, 2017,photo: Toby Melville/Pool, via AP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth unveils a national memorial honoring the Armed Forces and civilians who served their country during the Gulf War and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, in London Thursday March 9, 2017,photo: Toby Melville/Pool, via AP
The statue unveiled Thursday honors those who served Britain during the Gulf War and recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq

LONDON – Queen Elizabeth II has joined Britain’s political leaders to unveil a memorial to soldiers and civilians who have served in recent wars.

The statue unveiled Thursday honors those who served Britain during the Gulf War and recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Prime Minister Theresa May and predecessors Tony Blair, John Major and David Cameron were among about 2,500 guests.

Two-year-old Alfie Lun, 2, is held up by his mother Michelle Lun as he hands a bouquet to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth during the the unveiling of a national memorial honouring the Armed Forces and civilians who served their country during the Gulf War and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan in London Thursday March 9, 2017. Photo: Toby Melville/Pool, via AP

Prince William and his wife Kate attended and Prince Harry spoke at the start of the ceremony, quoting from the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes: “A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.”

The queen was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip.

Some relatives of servicemen and women complained they were not invited to the event in central London.