The sun had just peeked through high clouds as the helicopter that carried the Duke of York touched down at the Argentine cemetery at Darwin. During a short but dignified ceremony, HRH Prince Andrew laid a wreath at the central cross in the cemetery. He then, alone, began to look at the simple white crosses commemorating 234 known and unknown Argentine Soldiers who died in the Falklands War.
After he saw the flower and rosary adorned grave markers, he spoke to the press.
"My return to the Falkland Islands was poignant and emotional."
The Duke of York had just been to Blue Beach to lay a wreath at the British Cemetery where he spoke to a veteran who, for some years had in his possession a helmet that belonged to the youngest Argentine who died in the conflict. He has returned during this pilgrimage to place that helmet on his grave. That young soldier hadn’t even reached his 17th birthday.
"This is not exactly closure but being able to pay my respects for something I was part of when I was a young man is important."
"I think it’s tremendously important to come down at this particular moment because it’s the 20th anniversary."
"Having got here, it doesn’t actually seem like 20 years since the fighting down here."
"The important thing, again, is reconciliation. I think that after 20 years, its time we moved forward and not look back."
This is another opportunity to pay my respects to those who died fighting for this wonderful piece of country."
Years ago, during a visit to Argentina, the Duke had the opportunity to honour those who died aboard the Argentine Cruiser, Belgrano.
"I’ve just been to Blue Beach, where Colonel H. Jones is buried. He was the same age as I am now."
" It was a very poignant and emotional moment. It’s important to come back and pay respects."
The Duke then slowly returned to the helicopter for his visit to Goose Green and a chat with some of the people who were detained in the village hall for 28 days during the conflict.
Thanks to Peter Archer, Court Correspondant for PA News for filling in the soft bits of my tape.
