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Prince Charles embroiled in row over Armistice ceremony at Verdun
Peter Allen in Verdun11.11.08
PRINCE CHARLES was today risking a backlash after agreeing to attend a controversial First World War commemoration in France.
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.
Reader views (12)
I don´t think Mrs Merkel´s annoyed by the German past as you mentioned because at the 11th of November she was invited to Poland for celebrating their indepedence day. So her diary was indeed a bit overcrowded.
- Thebavarian, Germany
Hey the jolly has started he is 60 on Friday, who cares where he spends his time, he lost all respect when he married the third party in his marriage. Perhaps it is just as well he is out of the country and we do not have to foot the bill for his entertainment. No doubt we shall pay for it when he comes home for the bash at Buck House and Highgrove.
- Anon, UK
Yes, the world has a lot to learn, Stuart from Luton, and you should start by learning how to spell.Simple words like 'to' and 'were' are just some of your appalling mistakes!....As for the debate, well I agree with Liam West from London. There are too many ignorant, dangerous people in the world and it's very important to be on the right side when it comes to a world war. We were. The German's weren't. Let's commemorate that fact.
- Keith Owen, Watford, Herts
As it is the French who are hosting the event, surely it is up to them where it is being held? Can the future King of England be seen to be so petty as to boycott the event because it isn't being held where Britons would want it to be. The whole war was a tragedy that was bound to happen, given the political events of the time. Countless thousands died on both sides, from multiple national armies and colonial levies.
Britain was a major contributor, both nationally and on the part of its colonies. To be absent from the remembrance event would be unthinkable.
Get real people!
- Rogan, Irving
Every life lost was one to many regardless of nationality.
Lets not be so petty as to argue about who won or who lost, there are lessons to be learnt still from this and arguing about were the Prince should be is not one of them. He is in the right place as long as he is leading remembrance of some form.
This world still has a huge amount to learn!
- Stuart, Luton, UK
Yes, he should have been on the Somme or at Ypres.
Colchester held their own small ceremony this morning when two cadets, one from the Sea Cadet Corps and one from the Army Cadet Force laid two wreaths at the War memorial in memory of the two youngest know casualties from WW1. Pt Percy Mortlock from the 2nd Btn Northamtonshire Regiment kia in 1915 and Boy First Class Ernest Rogers RN lost whilst serving on board HMS HAWKE on 15th October 1914. Both have no known graves and both were aged 16 years.
Also isn't about time that November the 11th was made a public holiday ?
- Joan Soole, COLCHESTER, ENGLAND
Get your facts right, Brian from Wiltshire. The Germans didn't die 'fighting for the cause'. It's perfectly acceptable to expect the future King of England to attend a British battlefield.
- Liam West, London
Sometimes it is right to honour & respect the losses of your friends and allies as well.
This does not mean that Prince Charles or any other else, is in any way, trying to diminish the contribution of British troops.
Rememberance of the courage and sacrifice of Britain's dead, and the very few veterans left, is after all the duty of all of us, and not something left to Royalty.
- Tom Lister, London, UK
Isn't it wonderful when people chose to have a go at those who fought along side our troops.
I have no problem with were Charles honours the dead of the wars.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England
Brian, I couldn't agree with you more. I'm sure everyone has their own reaons for making these various decisions but their petty squabblings need not overshadow the fact that millions of people died in this war. Lest We Forget.
- We, Kent, UK
The German army was defeated in the field in 1918 not by the French who were worn out, not by the Americans who were disorganised, not by the Belgians nor anyone else but by the British - Dr J P Harris, Imperial War Museum quoted in the Times today 11th November 2008. Charles should be at Ypres as the Queen was at the Cenotaph Remembrance Sunday.
- Peter Haldane, London
What is this nonsense, all these young men died fighting for the cause, disgracefull people should behave like this , disgracefull.
- Brian, Wiltshire
