Queen Elizabeth II has put her grandson Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton in charge of representing Britain at the battlefield ceremony in Belgium to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War I.
It will mark the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's most significant royal duties yet and is believed to have come as a result of the resounding success of their recent tour of Australia and New Zealand.
According to 'The Sunday Times', the importance of the occasion is underlined by the fact that Germany and other countries will be represented by their heads of state.
The couple will be joined by Prince Harry, who is still a military officer, for the ceremony on August 4 at St. Symphorien military cemetery near Mons, Belgium.
Later that evening, when Westminster Abbey leads the way for candlelit vigils at churches across Britain, the Queen will make her sole public appearance at the tiny Highland church of Crathie, near Balmoral.
It is understood the Queen's decision to retreat to a Highland church rather than lead one of the official events is not intended as another sign that, at 88, she is stepping back from official duties.
Rather it is said to be an indication of her profound response to the impact of a war that killed about 900,000 British subjects and about 17 million people worldwide.
The theme of Anglo-German reconciliation will run through the commemorations, which will be attended by Joachim Gauck, the president of Germany, and King Philippe of Belgium.
