King Charles leads Remembrance Sunday service at London's Cenotaph

Almost 10,000 veterans and 800 armed forces personnel also took part in a march-past at the event

Britain's King Charles III lays down a wreath as he attends the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph on Whitehall in London, Britian November 12, 2023. Richard Pohle / Pool via REUTERS

King Charles III salutes during the Remembrance Sunday service. PA

King Charles III wore the uniform of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph. AP

Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales, attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony. AP

From left, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, former prime minister Liz Truss, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Theresa May attend the National Service of Remembrance. Reuters

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph. PA

King Charles III salutes after laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London during the Remembrance Sunday service. PA

Members of the royal family, including King Charles III, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal, at the Remembrance Sunday service. PA

Wreaths of poppies left at the Cenotaph in London after the Remembrance Sunday service. PA

Veterans march during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London. PA

The band of the Royal Marines marches during the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph. Reuters

Chelsea Pensioners at the Saluting Base in Horse Guards during the Remembrance Sunday service. PA

Chelsea Pensioners at the Saluting Base in Horse Guards during the Remembrance Sunday service. PA

British King Charles III led a moving Remembrance Day service as the nation fell silent on Sunday to honour those who died in conflict.

There was a two-minute silence across the UK at 11am to commemorate the end of the First World War and other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces.

The royal family, senior politicians and dignitaries laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in London, where a major policing operation remains in place after more than 120 arrests were made – mostly of far-right counter-protesters – at a pro-Palestinian march held on Armistice Day.

Thousands of people braved drizzly weather and descended on Whitehall for the service, many arriving hours early to get a good spot.

The Massed Pipes and Drums played songs such as Rule Britannia in the rain, but the showers stopped before the king led the country in quiet reflection at the Whitehall memorial.

Wearing the uniform of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force with greatcoat, poppy and sword, King Charles – who as sovereign is commander-in-chief of the armed forces in the UK and realms – laid a wreath similar to the one produced for King George VI.

It featured 41 open style poppy petals mounted on an arrangement of black leaves – traditional for sovereigns’ wreaths – of 27-inch diameter ribbon and bow using the colours from King Charles’s racing silk – scarlet, purple and gold.

The Prince of Wales also laid a wreath, as did the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal.

Senior politicians including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Labour leader Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also laid wreaths.

Major Ollie Plunket of The Rifles, equerry to Queen Camilla, laid a wreath on behalf of her as she watched from a balcony with the Princess of Wales.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen Camilla’s wreath closely resembled the one produced for the Queen Mother.

Britain prepares for Armistice Day – in pictures

They were joined in paying tribute by the living former prime ministers: Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major.

Almost 10,000 veterans and 800 armed forces personnel from all three services took part in a procession, and members of the public applauded as they marched past.

Nine D-Day veterans were due to participate in the Remembrance Day service and the oldest, Joe Randall, 100, was due to march with the Spirit of Normandy Trust, a government representative said.

Among those marching were nuclear test veterans, who for the first time will wear 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, for the Remembrance Sunday service.

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

Prince Edward wore the Royal Wessex Yeomanry uniform for the ceremony, while Princess Anne wore a Royal Navy uniform in the rank of admiral with a greatcoat, cap, sword and poppy.

Before the service, City of Westminster street cleaners swept and washed the Whitehall road approaching the Cenotaph, and volunteers handed out hymn sheets to the crowd.

“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,” Mr Sunak said.

“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.”