Remembrance

Remembrance Sunday: UK falls silent as King leads commemorations at Cenotaph

Watch: Gun salutes from King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery marks two-minute silence.

The King led commemorations at the Cenotaph as the nation fell silent for a two-minute silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday in memory of those who have died in conflict.

Charles, who was wearing the uniform of a Marshal of the Royal Air Force with a greatcoat, poppy and sword, laid a wreath, similar to the one produced for King George VI, at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

A wreath was also laid on behalf of the Queen by her equerry, Major Ollie Plunket, The Rifles, as she watched the service from the centre balcony of the Foreign Office alongside the Princess of Wales.

The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh also laid wreaths.

The Massed Bands and Pipers played in the rain at the Cenotaph, while a band from His Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth also performed.

The King salutes during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph
The King salutes during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph (Picture: PA).

Armed Forces personnel and veterans lined the streets from near Downing Street to Horse Guards Parade.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were among the senior politicians to attend the service and lay a wreath.

The King, followed by senior royals and politicians, exited Whitehall back into the Foreign Office building ahead of a march past involving almost 10,000 veterans and 800 tri-service personnel.

Members of the public applauded as they marched past the Cenotaph.

Among those taking part were nine D-Day veterans, the oldest being Joe Randall who is 100 years old.

Also marching were nuclear test veterans, who for the first time are wore a medal acknowledging their contribution.

After 70 years of waiting for recognition, those exposed to the effects of nuclear bombs during the UK's testing programme were given a medal, depicting an atom surrounded by olive branches, in time for the Remembrance Sunday service.

More than 300 Armed Forces and civilian organisations were represented, as well as 300 veterans not affiliated with an association who were invited to join for the first time.

The Prime Minister said: "The courage and commitment shown by our servicemen and women, both today and throughout the generations that came before them, is humbling and I know many across the country will be honouring their memory today in quiet reflection.

"Recent events have served as a stark reminder that we cannot take the hard-earned peace we live in for granted, which is why I am honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the nation in the memory of all those that have lost their lives defending our country and the values we hold so close.

"I am determined to ensure we never forget the ultimate sacrifice they have made."

Services of Remembrance were held across the UK, including the National Memorial Arboretum, as well as overseas to mark Remembrance Sunday, which this year came a day after the commemorations on Armistice Day on Saturday.

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