WATERLOO-ANNIVERSARY/HOUGOUMONT FARM Britain's Prince Charles launches Waterloo bicentenary commemorations in Belgium

Record ID: 151678

  • Title: WATERLOO-ANNIVERSARY/HOUGOUMONT FARM Britain's Prince Charles launches Waterloo bicentenary commemorations in Belgium
  • Date: 17th June 2015
  • Summary: BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO BELGIUM, ALISON ROSE, SINGING BRITISH NATIONAL ANTHEM VIEW OVER FARM AS BRITISH NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYS SOLDIER SALUTING DURING ANTHEM
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA92WW6T9R0VU2W58LH55GOIMIC
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Britain's Prince Charles launched commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium on Wednesday (June 17), unveiling a British army monument at Hougoumont farm, a key British stronghold during the battle.
    The Prince, who was accompanied by his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Astrid of Belgium, also visited the former battlefield before the official ceremony at the farm which was restored in time for the bicentenary.
    Hougoumont farm was a place of intense fighting during the battle. The Duke of Wellington needed to hold the site to weaken the assault of the French forces, commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte.
    French soldiers broke through the north gate of the farm, but ten soldiers of the British Coldstream and 3rd Guards rallied and drove them out. They put their shoulders to the great doors of the farm, closing them for good.
    "(The Duke of) Wellington was clear about the critical importance of this moment. The success of the battle of Waterloo depended on closing the gates of Hougoumont," General Sir Richard Shirreff told the audience.
    700 Belgian, British, French, German and Dutch guests came to the unveiling in a show of European unity not seen for a major anniversary at the site since the course of history changed there on June 18, 1815.
    Former enemies stood united, with a handshake between the Duke of Wellington, Prince Charles Bonaparte and Prince Blucher von Wahlstatt, the descendant of General Blucher who led the Prussian forces.
    During the battle, Hougoumont was attacked no less than seven times, and some 6,500 men died or were wounded in the struggle for the farm. It remained a working farm for 200 years after Waterloo, but after its restoration will house an exhibition.
    Former Welsh Guard and military reenactor Clive Jones said the farm held a particular significance to the Coldstream Guards.
    "To the guards, Hougoumont holds a very special place. Every guardsman when he first joined and is taught his regimental history learns about the Battle of Waterloo. They learn about the importance of Hougoumont and how their valiant forefathers defended Hougoumont against the French," he told Reuters Television.
    Belgium will mark the anniversary of Waterloo with a series of reenactments and festivities, expecting 200,000 visitors to attend the commemorations.
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