I attended the Festival of Remembrance and one thing moved me to tears

This time of year can be challenging for so many people. Those who have lost loved ones after they bravely gave their lives in service to their country are remembered every year; the pain of their loss never diminishes, but the gratitude we have for their sacrifice and courage in the face of insurmountable odds only continues to grow.

We remember them every year and will continue to do so, but what about those who were not allowed to serve? What about those who stood up, desperate to do their bit, but were banned? What do we know about them? The Royal British Legion's annual Festival of Remembrance was a truly eye-catching spectacle, as it always is, but there was one moment that thoroughly stuck out to me as I sat in the iconic Royal Albert Hall today.

As the tributes to some of the most incredible people rang out, the concert's attention shifted to another poignant anniversary.

2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the UK Government lifting the ban on gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel serving openly in the Armed Forces. There were reflections on past discrimination and celebrations for the leaps of progress made since 2000.

We listened as gay members of the Armed Forces spoke about the exhausting need to "live a double life" under a "veil of secrets." They shared the harrowing stories of the moment their true identities were unfairly discovered and saw the lives of service they had always dreamt of ruined as they were either arrested or dishonourably discharged.

That iconic auditorium was silent - stunned into silence, you might say - as the immense bravery of these people came to light. Save for a few quiet whispers of shock and disgust from those near me in the audience, the ordeal of what these individuals, who simply wanted to serve their country, endured left the room speechless.

Anyone with a shred of empathy or patriotism in their bones would have struggled to choke back their feelings for what these poor people were forced to go through for no reason other than blind prejudice.

The 25th anniversary of the ban being lifted was marked at the end of last month when the King attended a dedication ceremony of a new memorial to the Armed Forces LGBT+ community at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

After the shocking stories shared by those who were pushed out of service because of who they loved were told, one of the most memorable moments of the whole service took place.

One by one, eight different servicemen and women walked from different areas of the auditorium and placed a drum on a raised platform. A ceremonial tradition known as the laying of the drums, the audience watched as the solemn act of respect was performed, before a Union flag and flag of the Royal British Legion were protectively draped around the drums and remained there for the rest of the service.

It was with incredible strength and forgiveness that these brave individuals shared their stories, and the country is all the richer for hearing them.