King Charles visits Lichfield Cathedral, unveils UK's first national LGBT armed forces memorial

King Charles has resumed public engagements with a visit to Lichfield Cathedral in the Midlands, where he was warmly greeted by crowds and local dignitaries, including the Dean of Lichfield, Rt Revd Jan McFarlane. The King viewed the 'Table for the Nation,' a 13-meter-long table carved from a single 5,000-year-old Fenland Black Oak, symbolizing national unity and community spirit. This visit marks his return to the region after postponing previous plans due to cancer treatment. Later, King Charles attended the unveiling of the UK's first national memorial dedicated to LGBT members of the armed forces at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, recognizing their service and sacrifices amid past discrimination. The memorial, a crumpled bronze letter etched with testimonies from affected personnel, represents a significant step towards acknowledging and honoring LGBT veterans. Military charity Fighting With Pride praised the memorial as a powerful and overdue tribute to those who served despite historic military bans on LGBT individuals.