Royals Mark Battle Of Jutland Centenary

A minute's silence has been held and wreaths laid at a ceremony to mark the centenary of the biggest naval battle of the First World War.

Princess Anne and Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, were among those to attend a service at Rosyth Parish Church to remember those who died in the 36-hour Battle of Jutland, which began on 31 May, 1916.

More than 8,500 British and German seamen died off the coast of Denmark during the battle which changed the course of the war.

A total of 250 ships took part in what became the biggest naval engagement in the four-year conflict and the largest in history involving steel ships until that point.

Fourteen British and 11 German ships were sunk during the battle, which saw four Victoria Crosses awarded for bravery, including one to 16-year-old Jack Cornwell.

At the remembrance service, school pupils carried out readings and laid a book of remembrance on the church altar.

The minute's silence followed the ringing of a bell made from the hull of HMS Tiger, a battlecruiser that was damaged during the Jutland campaign.

Ms Sturgeon said: "This centenary commemoration is an opportunity for us to honour and pay tribute to the many thousands of sailors from both sides who lost their lives during the Battle of Jutland.

"The sacrifices made by those who fought in this battle, the largest naval encounter of the First World War, and by other seafarers throughout the conflict must never be forgotten."

The dignitaries then attended a remembrance service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery in South Queensferry, where 40 of those who lost their lives in the battle are commemorated or buried.

Relatives of those who fought at Jutland were among those attending, as well as school pupils from both Scotland and Germany.

Fife's depute provost councillor Kay Morrison said: "These commemorations provide an important opportunity for communities to come together to honour those who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Jutland, one of the most significant naval battles of the First World War."

On the actual anniversary of the moment the battle started - on Tuesday - Prince Philip will be among those joining descendants of those who fought - at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney.

The British Grand Fleet was launched from the islands' Scapa Flow bay and later, the remainder of the Germans' High Seas Fleet was scuttled in the bay following their defeat.