The Queen cut a “lonely figure” as she marked the centenary of the tomb of the unknown warrior. David Dimbleby remarked on the “lonely” Queen as he presented the Remembrance Sunday service on the BBC. The broadcast from Whitehall featured a pre-recorded clip of Her Majesty, who visited the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior to lay a replica of her bridal bouquet on Wednesday.
Mr Dimbleby said: “The lonely figure of the Queen at Westminster Abbey earlier this week at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.”
One viewer reacted online to the remark by suggesting she was “dignified, not lonely”.
The Queen made the visit without any other members of the Royal Family.
According to ITV’s Chris Ship, the Queen was only joined at the service by “the Dean, her Equerry & the Queen’s Piper”.
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The appearance also marked the first time the Queen has been seen in a face mask.
Other members of the royal family including the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have appeared at official events wearing face coverings.
The face mask is thought to have been made by Angela Kelly, the Queen’s personal adviser and curator.
Today’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations are scaled-back, with social distancing measures in force because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is the first time the service has been closed off to the public.
The Royal British Legion and Legion Scotland advised people prior to the service to observe the silence in honour of those who lost their lives in conflicts from their doorsteps.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “While this year’s service is a little different to normal, I want to encourage everyone to get involved from their own homes – watch on your TV, research your family history – but most importantly, keep safe.”
The commemorations remember the armed forces community, British and Commonwealth veterans, the allies who fought alongside the UK and the civilian servicemen and women involved in the two world wars and later conflicts.
