Islanders part in the royal Festival of Remembrance

Two Islanders took part in the Festival of Remembrance in front of their majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night.

Standard bearers, Andrew Davey from Carisbrooke and Tristan Allen from Ryde, took part in the star-studded Royal British Legion’s annual event featuring, among others, singers Mika Paris, Alfie Boe, Calum Scott and Katie Melua.

Andrew was formerly in the RAF Regimental Gunners, and said: “It was a real privilege and honour but quite tough. We had rehearsals on Friday and again on Saturday before the performance.”

While his family were scouring the television during the show for a glimpse of Andrew, he added: “It was all very exciting and I was on stage when Alfie Boe sang.”

Despite the late night, they were both back on the Island for Sunday’s Remembrance parades.

Tristan, 20, was also a standard bearer at the King’s Coronation, and is a member of the Brighstone branch of the RBL, and led the village parade, while Andrew, from the Newport & Carisbrooke Branch, was at the front of the town parade.