888,246 CERAMIC POPPIES
The Duke and Duchess of cambridge and Prince Harry visit the tower of london’s art installation marking the centenary of the First World War.
Tuesday 5th August 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry visited the tower of london’s ‘blood
Swept lands and Seas of Red’ poppy installation in the tower of london’s moat. the evolving installation by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer tom Piper, was officially unveiled one hundred years since the first full day of britain’s involvement in the First World War.
Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by General the lord Dannatt, Constable of the tower of london who then introduced them to the installation’s artist, designer and project team before walking through the poppy field to each plant a ceramic poppy in the moat.
The ceramic poppies were presented to their Royal Highnesses to plant by members of the lord lieutenant’s Cadets. Representatives from each of the service charities benefitting from the net proceeds of the poppies were also introduced to their Royal Highnesses. Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for the tower of london, is marking the centenary anniversary of the First World War by installing over 800,000 ceramic poppies into the dry moat over the summer to create a major art installation. the first poppy was planted on 17th
July 2014 by one of the tower of london’s Yeoman Warders. in total, 888,246 ceramic poppies will be planted in the moat, one for each british and Colonial fatality during the First World War. A team of over 8,000 volunteers from across the uK will install the poppies, with the last one being planted on Armistice Day, 11th November 2014.
Each poppy will be available to buy for £25 (+p&p) from 5th August 2014. 10% from each poppy, plus all net proceeds which we hope will amount to millions of pounds if all poppies are sold, will be shared equally amongst six service charities. the charities chosen are Confederation of Service Charities (CobSEo), Combat Stress, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, Royal british legion and SSAFA (formerly the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association).
Throughout the installation period (5th August to 11th November) at twilight, the public will be able to witness from tower Hill terrace the names of 180 serving military killed during the First World War being read out in a roll of honour. this will be followed by the ‘last Post’ bugle call played by a single bugler. Members of the public can nominate a name for the roll of honour using a weekly ‘first come, first served’ nomination system which will allow those with the relevant information to put a name forward for the roll of honour to be read the following week.
Volunteers and members of the public are invited to document their involvement and witness the project evolve via Historic Royal Palaces’s social media channels on Facebook: /TowerofLondon or on twitter: @HRP_Palaces #TowerPoppies.
Members of the public can express their interest in volunteering opportunities; find out more about nominating a name for the roll of honour or purchase a poppy by visiting poppies.hrp.org.uk.