World War One Remembered: Passchendaele viewers left DEVASTATED by programme
TOMORROW marks the centenary of the start of World War One’s Battle of Passchendaele, and viewers shared their devastation amid the commemorations special on BBC Two tonight.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Passchendaele memorial
The three-hour coverage of the commemoration which took place in Flanders, Belgium saw Scottish presenter Kirsty Young hosting the events at Menin Gate in Ypres.
Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge joined Prime Minister Theresa May to pay their respects to the thousands of young men who lost their lives, during one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.
But as the soldiers lined up, and A Cappella choirs sang poignant music in tandem with the laying of the wreaths, viewers instantly took to Twitter to express their upset.
“@bigphilcampion just watched tribute on BBC about Passchendaele bl***y heart breaking lump in throat tears in eyes God bless them,” one person posted.
“Moved to tears by the Passchendaele commemoration at Ypres on BBC
Another admitted that they were expecting to suffer watching the special, saying: “Moved to tears by the Passchendaele commemoration at Ypres on BBC! After today and then reviewing pics taken I was already a wreck tbh.”
A third agreed: “I just put on the Passchendaele special on BBC2 like five minutes ago and I am already in tears.”
The coverage featured a dedicated event to the memory of the horrific events of battle, wherein Dame Helen Mirren narrated the timeline as well as detailing some of the men who gallantly fought in the War, along with segments of plays, to a rapt audience on the streets surrounding the Grote Markt (the Market Square).
One viewer also shared their annoyance that the programme wasn’t trending on Twitter, saying: “Extremely annoying that the excellent World War One Remembered isn't trending but Love sodding Island is.”
Prince William on his first day as an air ambulance pilot
Before the final theatre piece commenced, Prince William gave a speech to honour the half a million Allied and German soldiers that were killed, wounded or went missing during the three months of fighting.
He said that Britain and Belgium ”stand together... in remembrance of that sacrifice".
The BBC will continue to cover the commemorations during the official anniversary in Ypres from 11am tomorrow.