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Passchendaele 100: William and Kate join commemorations Passchendaele 100: William and Kate join commemorations
(about 1 hour later)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are joining Prime Minister Theresa May in Belgium to mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele - one of the bloodiest of World War One. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have joined Prime Minister Theresa May in Belgium to mark the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele - one of the bloodiest of World War One.
Half a million Allied and German soldiers were killed, wounded or went missing in three months of fighting.Half a million Allied and German soldiers were killed, wounded or went missing in three months of fighting.
Many drowned in the thick mud, caused by weeks of relentless rain. Prince William said Britain and Belgium "stand together... in remembrance of that sacrifice".
A service is being held in Ypres, where the King of Belgium and Prince William are laying wreaths at the Menin Gate. He joined the King of Belgium in laying wreaths at the Menin Gate in Ypres.
They will hear the Last Post, which has been played at the gate by a bugler almost every evening since 1928. The gate is covered with the names of 54,391 British dead who have no known grave, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Dignitaries and the descendants of those who died gathered earlier in Ypres's Market Square for an event to tell the story of the battle.
Performances and music - which included the National Youth Choir of Scotland, Dame Helen Mirren and a specially written extract from War Horse, narrated by Michael Morpurgo - were set to a backdrop of light projections on to the historic Cloth Hall.
Officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele was fought between 31 July and 6 November 1917 in the West Flanders region of northern Belgium.Officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele was fought between 31 July and 6 November 1917 in the West Flanders region of northern Belgium.
About 275,000 Allied troops and 220,000 Germans died.About 275,000 Allied troops and 220,000 Germans died.
During the service, attended by 200 descendents of those who fought, Prince William said: "Members of our families; our regiments; our nations; all sacrificed everything for the lives we live today."
He added: "During the First World War Britain and Belgium stood shoulder to shoulder. One hundred years on, we still stand together, gathering as so many do every night, in remembrance of that sacrifice."
The service ends with the Last Post, which has been played at the gate by a bugler almost every evening since 1928.
Dignitaries and the descendants of those who died are gathered in Ypres's Market Square for an event to tell the story of the battle.
Performances and music - which included the National Youth Choir of Scotland, Dame Helen Mirren and a specially written extract from War Horse, narrated by Michael Morpurgo - are being set to a backdrop of light projections on to the historic Cloth Hall.
British troops sought to push back the Germans from a ridge, near the Belgian town of Ypres during the three-and-a half month campaign.British troops sought to push back the Germans from a ridge, near the Belgian town of Ypres during the three-and-a half month campaign.
Thick mud clogged up rifles and immobilised tanks, and ultimately, the fighting is believed to have won the allied forces only small gains.Thick mud clogged up rifles and immobilised tanks, and ultimately, the fighting is believed to have won the allied forces only small gains.
On Monday, the anniversary of the start of the battle, commemorations will continue with a special service held at Tyne Cot cemetery, where thousands are buried and commemorated.On Monday, the anniversary of the start of the battle, commemorations will continue with a special service held at Tyne Cot cemetery, where thousands are buried and commemorated.
World War One Remembered: Passchendaele For The Fallen is on BBC Two on Sunday 30 July at 7pm.World War One Remembered: Passchendaele For The Fallen is on BBC Two on Sunday 30 July at 7pm.