
The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry have joined politicians in northern France to mark the centenary of a defining First World War battle.

The royals, each wearing a Remembrance poppy, began their visit on Sunday afternoon by visiting a preserved tunnel and trenches at Vimy Memorial Park on the site of the historic battle near the town of Arras.

They later joined French President Francois Hollande and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Their visit comes as the Queen sent out a public message paying tribute to the Canadian troops who 'stood far from home together with their allies in defence of peace and freedom'.

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Prince William paid his respects during a ceremony to mark the centenary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, along with the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry

The royals, who each wore a Remembrance poppy, visited the Vimy Memorial Park near the town of Arras on Sunday

William and Harry were joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial

Replica biplanes performed a flypast during the ceremony, which honoured the sacrifices of Canadian forces and their British counterparts during the Battle of Vimy

Today's service, staged at a memorial on the battlefield, honoured the sacrifices of Canadian forces and their British counterparts at the four-day battle in 1917.

The ceremony, which began with The British, Canadian and French National Anthems, was also attended by Governor General of Canada David Johnston who tweeted: '100 years after the Battle of Vimy we gather once again on-site to never forget.'

Vimy Ridge, a decisive victory for the Allies against Germany, was important in the development of Canada's national identity as four military divisions from the nation fought together for the first time as the Canadian Corps.

The battle, which began early on April 9 1917, was part of a larger British-led offensive, featuring Australian troops, known as the Battle of Arras which was a diversionary move to help a major French attack further south.

Sombre occasion: The royals began their visit by visiting a preserved tunnel and trenches at Vimy Memorial Park - on the site of the historic battle near the town of Arras

Lest we forget: Charles and his sons are given a tour of some of the conflict's trenches that were reconstructed a few years after the end of the First World War

The royals are shown around the trenches before the service, which honoured the sacrifices of Canadian forces and their British counterparts at the four-day battle in 1917

Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry visit the tunnel and trenches at Vimy Memorial Park before the ceremony on Sunday afternoon

The royals were seen listening intently as they were shown around the trenches by one of the guides at the site

The battle, which began early on April 9 1917, was part of a larger British-led offensive, featuring Australian troops, known as the Battle of Arras

A guide from the memorial park showed Charles, William and Harry around the trenches before the commemorative service

THE BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE Vimy Ridge was a decisive victory for the Allies against Germany. The battle is cited as being momentous in the development of Canada's national identity, with four military divisions from the nation fighting together for the first time as the Canadian Corps. The battle, which began early on April 9 1917, was part of a larger British-led offensive known as the Battle of Arras. This was a diversionary attack to help a major French offensive further south. Nearly 3,600 Canadian soldiers lost their lives during the battle. Advertisement

During the ceremony today Charles, President Hollande and Mr Trudeau all spoke and laid wreaths at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial which honours all those from the Commonwealth country who died fighting during the First World War.

In his speech, the Prince of Wales said: 'Canadians displayed a strength of character and commitment to one another that is still evident today.

'They did not waver.

'This was Canada at its best; the Canadians at Vimy embodied the “True North Strong and Free."'

William and Harry - who have both served in the armed forces - each laid a pair of boots.

The boots are some of the first of thousands that will be placed at the site by Canadian and French youth - representing almost 3,600 Canadians who died during the battle.

The royals toured the trenches and battlefield at Vimy Memorial Park before taking part in a service later on in the day

Poignant: William lay boots and poppies of remembrance at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial during the ceremony

The royals took a moment to reflect during the service, which marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Harry lay boots and poppies at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial to pay tribute to soldiers who lost their lives during the battle

L-R: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and family, French President Francois Hollande, the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry pose for a photograph

The royals, along with Mr Trudeau and Mr Hollande, attended the service at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial on Sunday

Harry, William and Mr Trudeau all paid their respects to the fallen soldiers as they arrived at the ceremony on Sunday

During his speech, the Prince of Wales said: 'Canadians displayed a strength of character and commitment to one another that is still evident today. They did not waver'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy

Before the ceremony Charles and his sons toured some of the conflict's trenches that were reconstructed a few years after the end of the First World War.

The service today attracted an estimated 25,000 visitors including over 10,000 young people who will have flown in for the commemorations from Canada.

In the evening, the royal trio will attend a reception and meet young Canadians who attended the ceremony, athletes who have taken part in Harry's Paralympic-style Invictus Games for injured servicemen and women and veterans, and military personnel from some of Charles' Canadian regiments and military units.

Harry, joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, spoke animatedly as the group were given a tour of the Vimy Memorial Park ahead of the cerermony

The pair, who were both wearing a Remembrance poppy, took a tour of the trenches before the service began

Harry and William chat to Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie and son Xavier, right during their visit to the trenches and tunnel. They later came together for a ceremony

President Hollande (far left) the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (far right) with wife Sophie Gregoire at the commemorative ceremony

Charles looked equally delighted to meet the Canadian Prime Minister as royals, politicians and dignitaries joined forces to pay tribute to fallen troops in France this afternoon

Charles was seen talking to Mr Hollande as they arrived at the battlefield, while Harry spoke to Mr Trudeau's wife Sophie

The Prince of Wales arrived at the service alongside David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and President Hollande

French President Francois Hollande, right, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walk in the Canadian WWI military cemetery in Vimy, northern France before the ceremony

Trudeau and Hollande visit the graves at the Canadian WW1 cemetry. The battle was a costly victory for Canada, but one that helped shape the former British colony's national identity

Packed schedule: The royals will later attend a reception and meet young Canadians who attended the ceremony, as well as athletes who have taken part in Harry's Invictus Games

Royal Canadian Mounted Police stood to attention as Charles, William and Harry, along with Mr Trudeau and Mr Hollande, walked past

Charles, bottom right, said of the historic battle: 'This was Canada at its best; the Canadians at Vimy embodied the “True North Strong and Free"'

William and Harry both laid a pair of boots, some of the first of thousands that will be placed at the at the site to represent almost 3,600 Canadians who died during the battle

Packed schedule: Later, Mr Trudeau (left will join the royals at a reception to meet military personnel from some of Charles' Canadian regiments and military units

A moment of reflection: Back home, the Queen sent out a message praising the heroic soldiers at Vimy, while admitting there would be 'difficult memories of loss and of suffering'

The ceremony at the Vimy Memorial Park attracted an estimated 25,000 visitors

Prince Charles, William, and Harry were sat in the front row as the service took place

Prince Charles and Mr Trudeau both spoke during the service at Vimy on Sunday

The Canadian Prime Minister and French President both laid wreaths at the memorial

The royals visited the trenches on the site of the Battle of Vimy earlier in the day

Charles, William and Harry were given a tour by a guide at the Vimy Memorial Park

Mr Hollande and Mr Trudeau, along with his wife Sophie Gregoire and son Xavier, visited the Vimy Memorial Park

The Canadian Prime Minister was taken on a tour of the trenches, along with his wife and son

Mr Trudeau was at the battlefield to pay tribute to the Canadian servicemen who lost their lives during the conflict

War veterans and members of the Canadian delegation salute during the service marking the centenary of the battle

Cadets were seen shielding their eyes from the sun as they looked towards the Canadian National Vimy Memorial

Soldiers march past boots placed on the lawn to commemorate the lives of those who died during the conflict

Military personnel stand to attention as replica WWI biplanes perform a flypast during the commemorative service

Replica WWI biplanes flying over the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, near the town of Arras, on Sunday

The flypast took place during the ceremony, which paid tribute to the servicemen who sacrificed their lives during the war

The planes flew past the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which honours all those from the Commonwealth country who died fighting during the First World War

Thousands gathered for the service at the battlefield on Sunday, with many flying in from Canada to be there

Over 10,000 young people flew from Canada to France in order to attend the commemorations on Sunday afternoon

Speaking ahead of today's event, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: 'Today, 100 years ago, British, Canadian and Australian troops served together with enormous courage and sacrifice, with thousands losing their lives in the Battle of Arras and the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

'The Battle of Arras saw the largest amount of Scottish units ever to have fought together, demonstrating once again their significance and contribution to the British Army, whilst the Battle of Vimy Ridge was a defining moment in Canada's history.

'The power of Allied force is as relevant today at it was in the spring of 1917, continuing to make the world a safer and more secure place.'