The Duke of York has paid his respects at the graves of Argentinean soldiers killed in the Falklands War.

It marked the first time a senior British figure has publicly recognised the sacrifice of those who fought as Britain's enemy in the 1982 conflict.

Earlier the Duke paid a moving tribute to the British servicemen killed in the battle to liberate the Falkland Islands.

I think that after 20 years it's time we moved forward and not look back

Duke of York

His four-day trip to the South Atlantic islands involved him taking the salute on Remembrance Sunday in the capital, Stanley.

Prince Andrew - who was a Navy helicopter pilot in the war - said his return to the Falklands was "poignant and emotional".

Wreath

"This is not exactly closure but being able to pay my respects for something I was part of when I was a young man is important," he said.

He had just placed a wreath at Darwin Cemetery on the Falklands where 234 Argentinean soldiers are buried.

"The important thing, again, is reconciliation. I think that after 20 years it's time we moved forward and not look back," he said.

Before visiting the graves, the Duke joined 200 fellow veterans at the service at the island's Liberation Monument.

There he laid a wreath of red, white and blue flowers and stood among rows of fellow Falklands veterans for prayers and hymns.

The Prince served as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War

One veteran read a poem while scattering red poppy petals and a bugler sounded the Last Post signalling a minute's silence followed by Reveille.

Most of the ex-servicemen were returning to the islands for the first time and were joined by the families of their dead colleagues.

After the service the Duke in naval uniform and wearing his South Atlantic medal, spoke to fellow veterans exchanging recollections of 20 years ago.

During the Falklands War the British suffered 255 dead, including soldiers, sailors and airmen as well as three islanders.

Argentina lost 712 soldiers, sailors and pilots.

During his visit, the Duke will visit Goose Green, site of one of the fiercest battles of the 1982 war.

The Duke was also taking the salute on Remembrance Sunday, honouring British war dead, at the Falklands Cross of Sacrifice in the capital Stanley.

The 42-year-old, who left the Royal Navy last year as a commander, is joining hundreds of other ex-servicemen who fought to liberate the Falklands from Argentinean occupation.

Gesture of reconciliation

As a sub-lieutenant in 1982, Andrew flew on anti-submarine missions, casualty evacuations and acted as a decoy for Exocet missiles launched by Argentinean aircraft against British ships.

He returned to serve in the Falklands in 1985.

There are 234 Argentinean soldiers buried at the Darwin Cemetery

In 1994 he visited Argentina in a gesture of reconciliation.

He acted as host to Argentina's President Carlos Menem when he came to Britain in 1998.

He flew from Chile to RAF Mount Pleasant for the events on Friday.

Before leaving the South American mainland, he visited Chile's Escuela naval school and called on the Chilean navy's commander in chief, Admiral Miguel Vergara.