Thu. Nov 14th, 2024
alert-–-black-cabs-line-the-streets-of-london-to-take-veterans-to-and-from-remembrance-sunday-events-for-freeAlert – Black cabs line the streets of London to take veterans to and from Remembrance Sunday events for FREE

Black cabs lined the streets of London today, offering to provide free transport to veterans heading to the cenotaph to mark Remembrance Sunday. 

Images shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed dozens of London’s iconic black cabs lined up near Westminster in an act which has become an annual tradition for taxi drivers. 

Since 2009, Poppy Cabs have offered free, accessible transport for military veterans attending the annual Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph. 

Inspired by the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, where red poppy badges are exchanged for charitable donations, these dedicated taxi drivers organise themselves under the ‘Poppy Cabs’ initiative. 

Each year, drivers offer complimentary rides to veterans from major train stations across London, ensuring they arrive safely and punctually for the commemorative event 

The London black cabs are known for their grand gestures, which have previously included lining the mall down to Buckingham Palace in honour of both the late Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II. 

They are also known to offer free lifts to children and their families when travelling to Great Ormond Street Hospital. 

Many people, including celebrities, took to X to thank the taxi drivers for their dedication to honouring veterans. 

One user wrote: ‘A beautiful gesture by London’s Black Cab drivers to honor [sic] veterans—such a lovely way to show appreciation!’

Another added: ‘There are still good people in this crazy world. Well done black cabs of London!’ 

One wrote: ‘This longstanding tradition helps honour those who have served, allowing them to gather without worry for travel, in a unique act of respect and gratitude from London’s iconic black cab drivers. 

‘I saw one cabbie halp [sic] a veteran by assembling her electric wheelchair. Test it and made sure the lady was good to go, before going off and collecting another load from the Union Jack, Victory Services, RAF Club and other sites across the City’. 

Second World War veterans have been paying emotional tribute to fallen comrades at the Remembrance Sunday commemorations. 

Emotions were running high and tears fell as an estimated 10,000 veterans gathered in central London for the Royal British Legion’s march past the Cenotaph.

The King laid a wreath at the monument, as did his sister the Princess Royal Princess Anne and his son Prince William, as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and eight former PMs. 

Meanwhile, Michelle O’Neill is facing a furious backlash across the political divide in Northern Ireland over her decision to become the first Sinn Fein leader to attend a Remembrance Sunday event.

Ms O’Neill will lay a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph in Belfast this morning in her role as First Minister, alongside DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Thousands more members of the public lined the streets to mark the occasion, joining in a two-minute silence at 11am and honouring those who served and have survived as well as those who died fighting for their country.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in the Second World War and the 25th anniversary of the end of the war in Kosovo.

It also comes alongside the 75th anniversary of Nato and the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between the UK and France.

More than 800 sailors, soldiers and aviators were on duty on Remembrance Sunday, representing their services at the Cenotaph and at commemorative services at Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral.

Princess Catherine watched today’s Whitehall event from above, on the nearby Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office balcony in central London, alongside Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

Wearing a black, military-style jacket with epaulettes, she could be seen wearing her traditional three poppies as she joined the nation in two minutes of silence. 

The touching tribute remembers her great-grandmother’s three brothers, who all lost their lives in the First World War. She also wore a silver Queen’s Dragoon Guards brooch, a reference to her role as the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief.

The Princess appeared emotional as she quietly closed her eyes in remembrance, bowing her head in respect.

In a touching moment following the ceremony, the Duchess of Edinburgh could be seen laying a tender hand on her shoulder as they left the balcony together.

Last night the Princess of Wales – who has been receiving treatment for cancer – attended the Festival of Remembrance ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall, alongside her husband William. 

The Queen was absent from the Festival and is also due to miss today Cenotaph ceremony to ensure she makes a full recovery from a chest infection, and to protect others from any risk.

In her place, her Equerry Major Oliver Plunkett laid her wreath at the Service of Remembrance.

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