Princess Royal unveils restored Guards Memorial at centenary ceremony

The Princess Royal has said each generation has a “responsibility” to remember the sacrifices of fallen soldiers as she rededicated a memorial to the Foot Guards regiments.Anne unveiled the newly-restored Guards Memorial at a ceremony in central London.The rededication marks 100 years since the memorial was unveiled by the Duke of Connaught in front of 15,000 veterans of the First World War.Many of the elements of the original ceremony were emulated at the centenary commemorations on Friday, including a parade and music from a pipe band and drums.Anne, as Senior Colonel of the Household Division, received a royal salute and delivered an address to the parade.The Princess Royal, Senior Colonel of the Foot Guards, attending the centenary dedication of the Guards Memorial (Aaron Chown/PA)PA WireShe said: “As we gather here a century later, our foremost purpose remains to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.“We honour the officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Guards division who lay down their lives in the service of King and country.“This memorial stands as a lasting expression of our gratitude.“Its significance has not diminished with the passage of time, rather each generation has a responsibility to understand the sacrifice it commemorates to ensure that it is never forgotten.”Anne, escorted by Major General James Bowder, met serving members of the Guards, cadets, Chelsea Pensioners and veterans.Anne spoke with 100-year-old former Irish Guards serviceman John Barber (Aaron Chown/PA)PA WireThis included 100-year-old John Barber, who served with the Irish Guards from 1944 to 1948.He said it was a great honour to be at the ceremony and Anne thanked him for making the effort to be there.Mr Barber said to reporters afterwards that it was his second time meeting the Princess Royal.The former serviceman, from Suffolk, said he had been stationed in Palestine in 1947, saying: “The thing that upsets me most about Palestine is that that’s still going on.”Mr Barber said he now spends most days in his workshop making things like jewellery to keep his “mind active”.Read MoreThe ceremony also included a royal salute, prayers, inspection of troops, and playing of the National Anthem.Anne lays a wreath at the rededication of the Guards Memorial (Aaron Chown/PA)PA WireAnne laid a wreath on the memorial alongside representatives of each Foot Guards regiment.The Guards Memorial depicts five guardsmen in life-size bronze figures representing the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards within the British Army’s Household Division.The original memorial, sculpted by Gilbert Ledward, was cast in bronze using captured German guns captured in the First World War.It was later updated with inscriptions to honour those who lost their lives in the Second World War.When not protecting the King or taking part in royal ceremonial events, the Foot Guards are also fighting soldiers who are deployed on operations or training exercises around the world.Lieutenant Colonel Charles Foinette, Brigade Major for the Household Division, said: “The bronze figures sculpted by Gilbert Ledward were cast from the very artillery that threatened our forebears a century ago.“Standing here today connects the recruits of 2026 who face new threats in an uncertain world, directly to the 15,000 veterans who marched past this plinth in 1926.“Their sense of duty and loyalty to the nation remains unbroken.”