The fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks prompted people across the world to recall their experiences of watching the events of 11 September 2001 unfold. Prior to a visit to New York to commemorate the events, The Duke of York wrote about his memories of that day.
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The Duke of York and US Ambassador William Farish during a special guard mounting ceremony at Buckingham Palace following the attacks in 2001
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His Royal Highness was on a flight to America on the day of the attacks and learnt of the news whilst airborne, not discovering the full extent of the disaster until landing. He remembered the anxiety he felt at being unable to contact anyone whilst on the flight:
'I had to sit in the plane unable to communicate with New York, knowing that my ex-wife Sarah had an office in the World Trade Centre and was in New York at the time. I had some small insight into the anguish many families were suffering that day.'
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London-based Americans study the papers for news before watching the special guard change ceremony at Buckingham Palace in September 2001
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Following a service 'of respect and solidarity' in London which was incorporated the guard mounting ceremony at Buckingham Palace, The Duke of York became one of the first British representatives to see Ground Zero in the days after the World Trade Centre was attacked:
'Nothing could have prepared me for the scene that I witnessed. Nothing in my experience came close to that scene of utter devastation and loss. The sheer scale of the destruction was difficult to comprehend.'
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The Duke of York lays flowers outside the US Embassy in London following the attacks in 2001, accompanied by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
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Following the attacks, the British Memorial Garden Trust was set up to create a space in New York which could be used for remembrance and contemplation, and which would in particular commemorate Britons who had lost their lives in the attacks. The project also forms an important part of the regeneration and redevelopment of Lower Manhattan and Wall Street following the collapse of the Twin Towers.
Members of the Royal family have been involved in the project since its conception. Its launch was announced in the presence of The Princess Royal during her visit to America in April 2003, whilst the centre stone for the garden was unveiled by the British Memorial Garden Trust's Patron, The Prince of Wales, and The Duchess of Cornwall in November 2005.
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The Princess Royal attends a ceremony in New York at which she presented the first seeds to be planted in the British Memorial Garden, April 2003
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Each year on 11 September a service is held in Hanover Square in New York, the site of the new memorial garden, to remember those who died in the terrorist attacks of 2001. This year's fifth anniversary service was attended by The Duke of York whose speech focussed on the families and friends of those who died in the attacks, and who continue to grieve for the '67 Britons whose memory we cherish here today'.
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The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall unveil the corner stone for the British Memorial Garden
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His Royal Highness also spoke of the relationship between Britain and America, which had been strengthened by the terrorist attacks which took place both on, and after 11 September 2001:
'Both cities share the grief of suffering major attacks. After the 7 July attacks in London last year, New York poured out its heart for London. We were deeply touched by the solidarity you showed then. These tragic events and the losses we have suffered have renewed and strengthened the deep-rooted ties binding us together in so many fields of endeavour.'
The Duke of York's speech ended with words which summarised the purpose of the memorial garden, and the resolve of the people of New York to move on, but also to remember:
'Today we remember, today we honour those who died, today we offer our continued support to the families and loved ones of that tragedy. Tomorrow we renew our common bonds; tomorrow we redouble our efforts to succeed in all we aspire; tomorrow we continue standing for our core values and beliefs.'
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