Princess Royal Leads Battle of Jutland Centenary Commemorations

Joined by German President Joachim Gauck and the British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Princess Royal has led commemorations in Orkney, Scotland to mark 100 years since the Battle of Jutland in the First World War.

They, along with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, attended a service at St Magnus Cathedral before inspecting the Weeping Window sculpture that sits outside the Cathedral entrance and is made up of thousands of ceramic poppies. Wreaths were also laid by the official party, as they were late in the day at the Lyness Cemetery.

The Duke of Edinburgh was originally planned to also attend the event, however his attendance was cancelled on his doctor’s advice. He did write a foreword for the service program, which read “Whatever the judgement on the outcome, the commemoration of the centenary of the battle is focused on the endurance and gallantry of all those who took part, on both sides, and particularly on those who lost their lives. War may be senseless and the Battle of Jutland may have been inconclusive, but there can be no doubt that their sacrifice was not in vain.”

8,648 British and German sailors were killed in the 36-hour battle off the coast of Denmark that is described as the ‘most decisive sea engagement of the war’.

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Tagged Anniversary, Battle of Jutland, Germany, President Gauck of Germany, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, The Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, World War I.