Prince Charles embroiled in row over Armistice ceremony at Verdun

The Prince and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were joining European Union dignitaries at Verdun, close to the German border, to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice.

But the location, chosen by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the scene of one of the bloodiest actions in military history, has angered many, including British veterans and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The veterans believe Verdun is an "inappropriate" place for the ceremony because no British soldiers fought there. They are angry that Charles will not mark the 90th anniversary on a British battlefield, such as the Somme or Ypres.

Arthur Titherington, who was a prisoner of war during the 1939-45 conflict, said: "I would have expected Prince Charles to be at a British battlefield on November 11th." They have found an unusual ally in Mrs Merkel, who pulled out at the last minute, angry that the ceremony will not be held in Paris as is usual. More than 250,000 French and Germans died at the strategic redoubt of Verdun in 1916, with no strategic gain on either side.

When Mr Sarkozy took the decision to switch this year's commemorations from Paris, a French government report stated "the presence of the German Chancellor will be particularly symbolic". But those organising the event said Mrs Merkel had made "an 11th hour decision to stay away".

One explained: "She's annoyed that Sarkozy has chosen a symbol of Germany's shameful militaristic past for this event. The kind of dignified ceremony which has taken place in Paris for decades would have been perfectly appropriate.

"We know that the British are also upset because battles like the Somme are considered far more important to them than Verdun."

An Elysée Palace source confirmed that Mrs Merkel's "diary was now full", and that she was instead sending Peter Müller, the new president of the Bundesrat, Germany's upper house.

There were also accusations that the European Union was hijacking the event with guests of honour including José-Manuel Barroso and Hans-Gert Pöttering, presidents of the European Commission and Parliament respectively, for the first time.

They will all meet at Fort Douaumont's ossuary where lie the remains of 300,000 men cut down by machine-gun and artillery fire in 300 days and nights of fighting.