Royal family marks Festival of Remembrance with annual celebrations at Royal Albert Hall

Members of the royal family occupied their usual seats at the Royal Albert Hall’s royal box on November 8, from where they took in the celebrations and rituals which marked the Festival of Remembrance this year.

Led by King Charles and Queen Camilla, the royal household also marked its attendance with the presence of Kate Middleton, Prince George, Prince Edward and his wife, Duchess Sophie.

The eldest son of Prince and Princess of Wales made his festival debut while his father, Prince William, is still away on an overseas tour to Brazil.

This year’s festival marked 80 years since the end of World War II, whereas 25 years have lapsed since the end of a discriminatory ban on members of the LGBT community in the British Armed Forces.

Per the BBC, “The audience stood and a fanfare played as the royals entered the concert hall to commemorate those who lost their lives in service, on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.”

This year’s Remembrance gala was hosted by English actress and singer Hannah Waddingham while the evening’s performers included equally homegrown musicians, Sir Rod Stewart and Sam Ryder.

The royal family marked the Festival of Remembrance a day before Remembrance Sunday, November 9, which officially commemorates the services and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth troops — civilian and military alike — since World War I.