Emma Little-Pengelly 'honoured' to attend Armistice Day event with King and Queen at Windsor
The Deputy First Minister has said it was an honour to spend Armistice Day with World War II veterans at a reception hosted by the King and Queen.
The grand reception at Windsor Castle continued the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which on August 15 marked the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Among those who attended the event at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening were Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Defence Secretary John Healey and many veterans and their families.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly said it was “an honour to spend Armistice Day in the company of many who have served our country, but particularly to talk with some of those who served in World War II.”
She added: "It is humbling to speak directly with them and to hear how they went out as very young men in service of the nation. Whilst they returned, many countless others did not and their memories of friends and comrades they lost are as vivid today as they were 80 years ago."
The Lagan Valley DUP MLA said that on days such as Armistice Day it is “important to stand together as a nation and pause to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who gave so much in defence of our freedom".
"It is important therefore that Northern Ireland is represented at events such as the reception marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, hosted by His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen."
During the reception she met the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smyth, from Co Armagh, noting that Northern Ireland has “an exceptionally proud record in terms of service in our forces”.
The Deputy First Minister said she was also pleased to meet quite a few people from Northern Ireland who were presented with Elizabeth Emblems. They are the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross and are awarded to public servants including, police, firefighters and members of other blue light services who have died in the service of their community.
One highlight of the reception the King sharing a hug with 105-year-old WWII veteran Yavar Abbas.
Mr Abbas has met Charles and the Queen at a service of remembrance in Staffordshire earlier this year where his off-script address, thanking them for attending the event despite Charles’s ongoing cancer treatment, seemingly moved them to tears.
Last week, Ms Little-Pengelly said could not attend Tuesday's inauguration of Irish President Catherine Connolly because of the clash with Remembrance Day events.
She faced calls from nationalists to attend but said she was scheduled to attend an Act of Remembrance in Parliament Buildings before travelling to Windsor Castle for the reception.
“I wish Catherine Connolly well as she takes up office, recognising that this is undoubtedly a significant personal honour for her, and I hope to speak with her personally in the next number of days,” she added.