British royals attend Remembrance Sunday

The British royal family gathered in central London this morning as King Charles lead the nation in the annual Remembrance service.

Every November sees people around the world honour the fallen who have made the ultimate sacrifice. In the United Kingdom, King Charles lead the nation in the annual two-minute silence to remember those who have fallen and suffered in conflict during the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph.

The King was joined by members of the royal family, the Prime Minister, senior politicians and faith representatives to mark the Armistice of the First World War as well as all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces. The solemn Cenotaph made of Portland stone was unveiled on 11 November 1920 and was combined with a ceremony to mark the procession of the body of the Unknown Warrior for re-burial in Westminster Abbey. The first of the annual ceremonies took place at the Cenotaph on the same date the following year.

This morning, King Charles was accompanied by Prince William, Prince Edward, and Princess Anne while Queen Camilla, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as well as the Duke of Kent watched from the balconies of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Big Ben chimed right at 11am as the nation fell silent. The King was first to lay a wreath, the design of which pays tribute to the wreath of his grandfather, King George VI, and mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Prince of Wales laid the wreath previously laid by King Charles as Prince of Wales, featuring the Prince of Wales feathers. The wreath now bears a ribbon in Welsh red.

Approximately 10,000 veterans took part in the Royal British Legion’s March Past, with over 300 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations represented. Individuals of all ages were amongst those marching — from bereaved children and military cadets, through to some of the last surviving veterans of the Second World War. A wide range of participants were present, with the youngest person marching aged only seven years old through to veterans aged over 100 years old.

Veterans travelled from afar to join the March Past, with some coming from Canada and Australia to participate. Approximately 10,000 members of the public lined Whitehall in London to watch the March Past and to take part in the annual two-minute silence.