This Royal Steps In While Queen Camilla Recovers From Exhausting Trip

The Duchess of Gloucester stepped out today to represent Queen Camilla at the 98th Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

Queen Camilla is taking rest days after returning yesterday from a busy royal tour of the Caribbean with King Charles.

The Duchess of Gloucester is a lesser-known senior royal who rarely takes the spotlight.

She was greeted at the event by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend David Hoyle, and President of the Poppy Factory, Vice Admiral Sir David Steel.

Prayers were said before the Duchess laid a cross.

The Last Post was sounded.

Vice Admiral Steel read the Exhortation to Remembrance ahead of a two-minute silence.

The Duchess then spent time looking at the poppies, meeting service personnel, and spending time with veterans and their families.

Various crosses have been laid by The Rifles, The Royal Lancers and The Grenadier Guards, of which The Queen is Colonel.

Crosses have also been laid by The Royal Army Chaplains' Department, The Submariners Association (HMS ASTUTE), The RAF Association (RAF Halton and Leeming), New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the Royal Navy Medical Service.

The Field of Remembrance is organized by the Poppy Factory.

It has been held in the grounds of Westminster Abbey since November 1928.

Its aim is to commemorate those who have lost their lives serving in the Armed Forces.

Members of the public, as well as ex-servicemen and women, are invited to plant a cross or a symbol carrying a personal message in memory of those who have lost their lives in the service of others.

This year there are 234 plots.

New plots represent the Lisbon Maru Memorial Association, Association of Royal Navy Officers, Maritime Reserves, General Service Corps Association and Royal Army Medical Services.

The Poppy Factory supports veterans and families looking for employment.

It uses its specialist service to help over 1,200 veterans and family members in England and Wales feel healthier, more independent and better connected.

King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Antigua and Barbuda during their Caribbean trip.

Charles also made solo visits to the Bahamas and Guyana.

The royal couple returned to the UK on Thursday, just in time for Bonfire Night.

However, the homecoming may not be a big celebration in the royal household.

The royal couple have two dogs: Bluebell, a rescue Jack Russell Terrier adopted by Camilla from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2012, and Moley, a part Jack Russell Terrier adopted from the same place in 2025.

Dogs can struggle with the loud bangs that come with fireworks.

Jack Russell Terriers, being a non-hunting breed, are said to not cope well with the sounds.

Charles and Camilla may be spending their post-travel evening comforting their pooches.

Advice on the Battersea Dogs Home website includes playing classical music, giving them a long-lasting chew, and drawing the curtains.

The Queen is a huge dog fan.