The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have joined actress Barbara Windsor aboard a classic London bus to mark London Poppy Day.

The Windsors travelled on a 1960s Routemaster bus to High Street Kensington station where they surprised military personnel and volunteers supporting the Royal British Legion.

The couple chatted and laughed with Ms Windsor– the RBL’s Poppy Day Ambassador –  as they rode to the station, where they were mobbed by delighted crowds.

Ms Windsor asked after baby George as the trio took the five minute journey from the palace. Kate replied: ‘He’s half asleep,’ with William adding: ‘He’s behaving himself this morning.’

William and Kate had earlier boarded the bus at Kensington Palace with dozens of RBL supporters including the actress and newsreader Alastair Stewart.

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, ride with television personality Barbara Windsor on a 1960s Routemaster bus as they meet London Poppy Day staff and volunteers in central London today

William and Kate had earlier boarded the bus at Kensington Palace with dozens of RBL supporters including the actress and newsreader Alastair Stewart

Ms Windsor asked after baby George as the trio took the five minute journey from the palace. Kate replied: ‘He’s half asleep,’ with William adding: ‘He’s behaving himself this morning’

The Duke of Cambridge shares a joke with General Tim Chicken on board the Royal British Legions Poppy bus today as the charity aimed to collect a million pounds in one day

 

Kate, wearing a red LK Bennett coat, spoke with Corporal Steve Johnson, an RAF recruitment officer from Newcastle, who is busking at Tube stations across London to raise funds for the appeal

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge surprised hundreds of commuters today as they joined poppy sellers at a London Tube station in High Street Kensington

Some 2,000 uniformed personnel, veterans and their supporters are hitting the capital’s streets today for the Royal British Legion (RBL) appeal ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

The Duchess of Cambridge meets with military personnel, staff and volunteers from the Royal British Legion at Kensington High Street

William appears to be sharing a joke with an onlooker as the couple were swamped by members of the public taking photographs as they walked along the high street to the station’s entrance hall

William, who left his post as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot in September, and Kate were greeted at the station by motorcyclists from the RBL’s Riders Branch.

As they approached the station’s entrance, they were introduced to a line-up of Poppy Day supporters including volunteers and military personnel.

Kate, wearing a red LK Bennett coat, spoke with Corporal Steve Johnson, an RAF recruitment officer from Newcastle, who is busking at Tube stations across London to raise funds for the appeal.

‘Kate asked what kind of music I’d been playing,’ he said. ‘She asked me to play but then said don’t because it’s too busy.

Lighthearted Kate and Wills enthusiastic about 1960s bus stunt

The Duchess of Cambridge meets members of the Poppy Girls, who have produced the appeal’s official single The Call (No Need To Say Goodbye), including 17-year-old Charlotte Mellor, who was on crutches after a fall

Kate and actress Barbara Windsor – the RBL’s Poppy Day Ambassador – meet with members of the Poppy Girls, which was formed after an X Factor-style talent competition for the children of military families run by the Royal British Legion

Prince William leans into share a joke with a giggling member of the group. All funds from the sales will go towards the national Poppy Appeal fund-raising target of £37 million to allow the RBL to carry out its vital work

The Royal couple met with former and serving soldiers at Kensington Palace and also on High Street Kensington

Kate delighted members of the public with the surprise appearance. Sisters Lisa and Sina Durchstecher, from Germany, were walking past the station when the royal couple emerged: ‘It was a dream, we¿re so happy’

Another volunteer, who asked not to be named, said she had never seen the poppy design worn by the Duchess who appeared to have used three poppies to create one emblem

‘Kate was more interested in the music, while William was more concerned with the day itself and how the appeal was going.

‘Lots of people are ecstatic to see them.’

The Duke and Duchess also chatted with retired volunteer Tim Connolly who has been selling poppies at the station after nearly 40 years raising funds for the appeal.

‘They asked how the appeal was going and whether we were getting support from the public,’ he said.

‘The answer is we’re getting a lot of support. The public is responding when they see uniformed personnel out collecting for the appeal.’

Another volunteer, who asked not to be named, said she had never seen the poppy design worn by the Duchess who appeared to have used three poppies to create one emblem.

The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by Prince Harry during their visit to the Field of Remembrance. Westminster Abbey, London, to mark London Poppy Day

The Duke, 92, and his 29-year-old grandson each lay a Cross of Remembrance in front of two wooden crosses from the Grave of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars

The Duke opens the Field of Remembrance every year but it is the first time he has been joined by his grandson. The role used to be carried out by the Queen Mother

After arriving at the Abbey in a Rolls Royce, the pair paid their respects by each laying a small cross of remembrance in front of two wooden crosses

The royals each marked their respects by each laying a Cross of Remembrance in front of two wooden crosses from the Graves of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars

Prince Harry lays a cross as Prince Philip, dressed in his Royal Navy day ceremonials and great coat, watches his grandson

The Last Post played before a two minutes’ silence was held. Philip and Harry then visited the plots, meeting veterans from both past and more recent conflicts

Prince Harry meets fellow well-wishers with a smile and a handshake as he visits the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey today to mark London Poppy day

 

Harry, wearing a military coat and cap and holding a remembrance cross and poppy, bows his head as he makes his way to the Abbey

Both princes have a military background. Philip joined the British Royal Navy in 1939 when he was 18. He graduated from the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, the following year

After arriving at the Abbey in a Rolls Royce, the pair paid their respects by each laying a small cross of remembrance in front of two wooden crosses from the Graves of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars

Prince Harry smiles as he visits the Field of Remembrance. The Prince was strikingly dressed in Household Cavalry Cloak Order, wearing a black cloak with a large red collar over his regimental dress uniform, including riding boots with spurs and black trousers with a wide red stripe

Dressed in the Household Cavalry Cloak Order and Army Air Corps beret, Harry, 29, split up from his grandfather to speak and share a joke with some of the veterans

‘I must do it when I get home,’ she said.

Sisters Lisa and Sina Durchstecher, from Germany, were walking past the station when the royal couple emerged.

‘It was a dream, we’re so happy,’ Lisa, 24, said.

‘I couldn’t say anything when I saw them.’

William and Kate were swamped by members of the public taking photographs as they walked along the high street to the station’s entrance hall.

Earlier, they welcomed RBL supporters and members of the armed forces to Kensington Palace before boarding the classic bus.

The royal couple met staff and volunteers taking part in the Royal British Legion (RBL) appeal as they called at Kensington Palace as part of a tour across the capital on a 1960s Routemaster Bus.

 

Strictly Karen Hauer and Dave Myers (left) were joined by  Fiona Fullerton and Anton du Beke (right) as they sold poppies in Covent Garden

Strictly star Aljaz Skorjanec with partner Abbey Clancy,  join Darcey Bussell and some female poppy sellers in Covent Garden. Organisers are aiming to raise more than £1 million in a single day

Dave Myers – one half of the Hairy Bikers – dances with fans as they stop to buy poppies from him

Brendan Cole and Sophie Ellis Bextor charm a passer-by into buying a poppy. The 34-year-old singer is partnered with Cole for the popular dancing show

 

 

 

Anton du Beke gets into the wartime spirit as he sits in a Spitfire while selling poppies to promote the day

The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Harry carried out their first joint engagement as they opened the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

The royals spent nearly an hour meeting veterans and members of the Royal British Legion and Poppy Factory as they were led around the 100,000 crosses that have been planted in memory of fallen soldiers.

After arriving at the Abbey in a Rolls Royce, the pair paid their respects by each laying a small cross of remembrance in front of two wooden crosses from the Graves of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars.

Among the veterans Philip spoke to was former Japanese prisoner of war George Housego, who said he joked about how old the Duke was.

Mr Housego said: ‘We’re exactly the same age – 92. When I told him who I was he said “There’s not many of you left” and I had to remind him that we’re the same age.’

Mr Housego said it was ‘absolutely fantastic’ that the Duke was there at his age.

‘It was a surprise to have Harry here and a surprise to have Philip here really,’ he added.

The Duke opens the Field of Remembrance every year but it is the first time he has been joined by his grandson. The role used to be carried out by the Queen Mother.

Dressed in the Household Cavalry Cloak Order and Army Air Corps beret, Harry, 29, split up from his grandfather to speak to some of the veterans.

Prime Minister David Cameron poses for a photograph with members of the armed forces, The Poppy Girls and supporters of the Poppy Appeal outside Downing Street today

 

Over the past 15 years, the Legion has called on a variety of celebrities and beneficiaries to help launch and promote the Poppy Appeal, from a wide range of locations

 

PM welcomes Barbara Windsor at No 10 for Poppy Appeal

 

Chelsea pensioners gather to inspect Poppies at Westminster Abbey. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to welcome military supporters into their palace grounds to mark London Poppy Day

The 300 retired servicemen, and six women, live at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. It was founded by King Charles II in 1682

Some 2,000 uniformed personnel, veterans and their supporters will hit the city’s streets for the eighth annual event ahead of Remembrance Day to commemorate the end of the First World War in 1918

Lieutenant Colonel Andy Cox said Harry stopped to pat Staffordshire Bull Terrier Corporal Watchman V, the association mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment.

‘Harry was with us last year,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a lot of time for him.’

He added that Philip told him ‘Sorry about yesterday’, in reference to the news that a British soldier from the regiment had been killed while on patrol in Afghanistan.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Ian Michael Fisher from The 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Staffords) died in a suicide blast.

After arriving, Philip, who wore his Royal Navy day ceremonials and great coat, stood side by side with Harry as the Last Post was played before a two-minute silence was held.

The first Field of Remembrance was held in the grounds of Westminster Abbey in November 1928, making 2013 the 85th year.

Remembrance crosses are provided so that ex-servicemen and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross in memory of their fallen comrades and loved ones.

A ex-soldier walks past a giant poppy on the way to the field of remembrance. Remembrance crosses are provided so that ex-servicemen and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross in memory

A cross adorned with a poppy and displaying a photo of a fallen soldier is placed next to others (left) and a cross to remember Drummer Lee Rigby (right) is laid in the Field of Remembrance. The British soldier was murdered outside Woolwich Barracks in May this year

Hundreds of small crosses bearing a poppy have been planted in the field, turning it into a sea of remembrance, to pay tribute to British servicemen and women who have lost their lives in conflict

Remembrance crosses are provided so that ex-servicemen and women, as well as members of the public, can plant a cross in memory of their fallen comrades and loved ones

A serviceman hammers in crosses amid the tributes and memorials at Westminster Abbey. The first Field of Remembrance was held in the grounds of Westminster Abbey in November 1928, making 2013 the 85th year

Memorial crosses bearing the Royal British Legion poppy and images of fallen servicemen and women are placed in rows at the Abbey

A well wisher writes a tribute on a wooden cross to mark the ceremony

Members of the Armed Forces sell poppies at Charing Cross station to delighted passers-by. A series of events are taking place across the capital to mark

Members of the Armed Forces sell poppies at Charing Cross station to delighted passers-by. A series of events are taking place across the capital to mark

Some 2,000 uniformed personnel, veterans and their supporters hit the city’s streets for the eighth annual event ahead of Remembrance Day

In 1921 the British Legion adopted it and the first Poppy Appeal was born

Some 2,000 uniformed personnel, veterans and their supporters hit the city’s streets for the eighth annual event ahead of Remembrance Day to commemorate the end of the First World War in 1918.

Fundraisers are at 80 Tube and train stations across London’s transport network and at hubs including Covent Garden, where a stage has been created for military performances throughout the day.

Organisers are aiming to raise more than £1 million in a single day.

All funds will go towards the national Poppy Appeal fund-raising target of £37 million to allow the RBL to carry out its vital work.

The nation’s biggest armed forces charity spends £1.6 million every week in direct welfare support and answers more than 170,000 calls for help.

A series of events are taking place across the capital to mark London Poppy Day, starting in Covent Garden with RBL ambassador Barbara Windsor and the Poppy Girls, who will sing the appeal’s official single The Call (No Need to Say Goodbye).

Poppies were first suggested as a symbol of Remembrance in 1918 and were adopted by the American Legion in 1920. In 1921 the British Legion adopted it and the first Poppy Appeal was born.

Members of the company of the British Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster mustered on the flight deck paying their respects by creating a bright red poppy, bowing their heads in silence

HMS Lancaster is currently on patrol in the Caribbean. The red poppy is one of the most iconic symbols of remembrance and is displayed to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives, or been injured, in the line of duty

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, also bid farewell to South Korea’s President Park Geun-Hye at Buckingham Palace at the end of her state visit

The first appeal raised £106,000 (nearly £30 million in today’s terms) and all the poppies were supplied from France. In 1922 the ‘Poppy Factory’ was established in the UK to keep costs down and employing disabled ex-Servicemen to make the poppies.

Poppies were ‘sold’ when the appeal started but charity legislation now requires them to be ‘distributed in return for donations’.

Over the past 15 years, the Legion has called on a variety of celebrities and beneficiaries to help launch and promote the Poppy Appeal, from a wide range of locations.

Reunited: Two ageing war heroes – one a prince, one a grandfather from Surrey

Two ageing war heroes were reunited yesterday.

One a member of the Royal Family and the other a grandfather from Surrey.

But when the Duke of Edinburgh first encountered former Grumman Avenger gunner Norman Richard, as he plucked the stricken aviator from heavy seas off the coast of Sumatra in January 1945, they were just two ordinary men fighting for their country.

Prince Philip smiles as he chats to veterans. Later he was reunited with former Grumman Avenger gunner Norman Richard, who he plucked from heavy seas off the coast of Sumatra in January 1945

Philip was First Lieutenant of HMS Whelp, on active service in the South Pacific towards the end of the conflict, when Petty Officer (Airman) Richardson and two colleagues were shot down by the Japanese during a dog fight. 

Wearing only lifejackets after their dinghy failed to inflate, the men, who has been flying with 849 Naval Air Sqn off HMS Victorious, were facing certain death when Whelp appeared on the horizon.

The destroyer struggled to get a launch boat out to them because of the swell but eventually, after about 20 minutes in the water, managed to haul the men to safety.

As the tiny boat bobbed alongside Whelp, First Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten appeared at the rail and helped them aboard.

He then took the shivering group down to his cabin where he leant them towels to dry themselves and arranged for some clothing to wear.
It was only then that Mr Richardson and his fellow servicemen noticed the framed photograph of their rescuer’s ‘sweetheart’ on the table in his cabin – one Princess Elizabeth.

Asked about his royal rescuer in an interview a few years ago, Mr Richardson said: Prince Philip is very much maligned by people today. I think very few people realise that as a serving officer out with the British Pacific Fleet, and before that in the Mediterranean, he did a great service for the country. He was a very brave man, a great example to all of us.’

Meeting again yesterday at the Royal British Legion’s Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, both men had vivid memories of the incident, despite it being more than 68 years ago.

Prince Philip (second from left in front row) with fellow officers on HMS Whelp, 1944-46. Philip was First Lieutenant of HMS Whelp, on active service in the South Pacific towards the end of the conflict, when Petty Officer (Airman) Richardson and two colleagues were shot down by the Japanese during a dog fight

Now aged 90 to Philip’s 92, Mr Richardson, of Weybridge, Surrey, said: ‘We had a joke about Prince Philip giving me a set of his clothes when I was picked up off the coast of Sumatra. The Duke still remembers it, and I told him they weren’t really his clothes, they were the property of the purser’s store.’

Philip joined the navy as a cadet after leaving Gordonstoun school in 1939 and was mentioned in dispatches in January 1941 as he took part in night action on HMS Valiant off Cape Matapan.

He was well thought of by all he served with and many believe he could have been First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy had he not been forced give up his own career when he married the Queen, by which time had been prompted to Commander.

Asked in an interview to mark his 90th year, the royal was asked how he felt giving up his job as a Royal Navy officer.

‘I don’t know how difficult it was, it was naturally disappointing,’  he replied .

Yesterday the Duke, who was wearing Royal Navy day ceremonials and a great coat in his capacity as Lord High Admiral of the Navy, an honour given to him by his wife on his 90th birthday, also met Telegraphist Ronald Harrison, 91, who spent two years as a prisoner of war when his motor torpedo boat was sunk off Sicily.

Mr Harrison, of Bexleyheath, south London, said: ‘I told the Duke we Second World War veterans are a very thin line now, and he said: ‘All of us are like that now’.’