LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II joined veterans in a solemn service on Friday as Britain commemorated the end of its combat operations in Afghanistan.

Prince William, his pregnant wife Kate, and Prince Harry — who served two tours during the conflict — also attended the ceremony at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral to remember the war dead.

Britain was part of a US-led coalition that fought the Taliban in Afghanistan following the Sept 11, 2001 attacks. Almost 150,000 Britons served in the conflict, and 453 died. “Today is a moment for us to say thank you: Thank you to all who served, whatever your role,” Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury said during the service.

Britain formally ended its 13-year campaign in Afghanistan in October, when the last British combat troops were airlifted from Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Britain’s main base in the country.

Published in Dawn March 14th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play