Message of Congratulations from the Troops

British troops serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan celebrated the Royal Wedding in style by holding a street party reception at their Main Operating Base in Lashkar Gar.

The dusty, daub setting was transformed to create a Royal Wedding Street Party with bunting, flags, music, cake and even a full life size cardboard cut out of the Royal Couple themselves! 

Captain Clare Brooks, 28 from Gerrards Cross serving with the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force said: ”It was a wonderful day, and we were able to join in with everyone else back home, which was very special.  Kate looked beautiful and we had been so looking forward to seeing her dress.  The Afghan’s that we work with were fascinated by the event and all of the decorations and really enjoyed it too.”

Many soldiers had returned to the UK from their duties in Afghanistan to perform at the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

Trumpeters from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force (RAF) played the Valiant and Brave to announce the signing of the register.  A selected group of RAF personnel flanked the path outside the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey.  RAF volunteers joined the Queen’s Colour Squadron and members of the Central Band of the RAF to line the streets of Whitehall between Horse Guards Parade and the Cenotaph.

As the newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and the crowds gathered in their thousands to watch the ‘Royal Kiss’, a flypast comprising of a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight followed by two Tornado GR4s and two Typhoons flew over Admiralty Arch, along The Mall and over Buckingham Palace.

The troops in Lashkar Gar received donations of Royal Wedding souvenirs and street party packs from different organisations throughout the UK, including gifts from www.theroyalweddingwilliamkate.com

Image: Members of 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) send a message of congratulations to Prince William and Kate from Task Force Helmand HQ, Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan.  Credit: Petty Officer Hamish Burke.