IN PICTURES: King Charles III unveils national memorial to LGBTQ+ armed forces veterans
– 2 min read
King Charles III has led a poignant ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum to unveil the UK’s first national memorial dedicated to LGBTQ+ members of the Armed Forces.
Joined by Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones and around 300 LGBTQ+ service personnel, veterans, and supporters, the King paid tribute to generations of military personnel who served - and often suffered - under discriminatory policies.
The memorial, titled An Opened Letter, was commissioned by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and developed by the charity Fighting with Pride. Forged in bronze and mounted on British York stone, the sculpture features words drawn from testimonies of LGBTQ+ veterans and current service members. It now stands among more than 420 memorials at the Arboretum, the nation’s year-round place of remembrance.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the initiative, stating: “This memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the bravery and service of these veterans. I will always fight to serve all those who have served us.”
Minister Sandher-Jones added: “I was moved and honoured to pay tribute to LGBT+ service personnel past and present. We’re continuing our vital work to recognise those who served under the ban.”
Between 1967 and 2000, LGBTQ+ individuals were banned from serving openly in the UK Armed Forces. Many were dismissed, discharged, or forced to live in secrecy. Fighting with Pride Chair Ed Hall, who was dismissed from the Royal Navy in 1988, described the memorial’s unveiling as a “historic day for healing and reconciliation.”
“We were all punished simply for being ourselves,” Hall said. “This beautiful sculpture is for the future. It recognises that LGBTQ+ people have always, and will always, defend our country.”
The Government has committed to implementing all recommendations from the LGBT Veterans’ Independent Review, published in July 2023. These include financial support, restoration of medals and ranks, and formal apologies for those affected.
Veterans impacted by the ban are encouraged to apply for reparations before the deadline in December 2026.
