‘Honor for Lives Lost’: UK royal family tribute to Ahmedabad aircraft accident victims; Celebrated a moment of silence
King Charles III and other members of the Royal family wore a black armband and saw a minute silence during their official birthday parade on Saturday, in memory of those killed in this week’s Air India plane crash. The symbolic gesture came at the request of the king. A statement by Buckingham Palace stated that it was “made as an honor for lost life, as families in mourning and all communities affected by this terrible tragedy.” The accident occurred on Thursday, when an Air India flight to London was flying from Ahmedabad shortly after. The accident claimed life on the lives of 241 people and at least 29 more land. The aircraft was carrying 169 Indian citizens, 53 Britain, seven Portuguese citizens and a Canadian. Only one person survived. As the head of the United Kingdom and head of the Commonwealth – including India and Canada – the king’s tribute was added during such a major public event. The parade, known as Trooping the Color, is a traditional military ceremony in Central London, filled with music and spectacle. It marks the official birthday of the emperor and includes a grand review of soldiers on the Horse Guard Parade near St. James Park. In the uniform, members of the royal family were seen wearing black armband throughout the program. The moment of silence took place when the king stood on the dice after inspecting the soldiers. This is not the first time that the color has been made such a gesture during the contingent. In 2017, Queen Elizabeth II saw a moment of silence in the same incident a few days after the Granfel Tower Fire, killing 72 people.
