Today is Remembrance Sunday, and saw the country remember the fallen who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the country: their lives. The Royal Family were in attendance at the event, with Prince Charles laying a wreath for The Queen and the nation.
The event comes after last night’s Festival of Remembrance.
At the Cenotaph, military bands entertained those waiting to see the sombre event and pay their respects. Nearly 900 personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force were present on Whitehall, to commemorate the servicemen and women killed in all conflicts since the First World War.
The nation will today pay its respects to the sacrifices of the armed forces community, as part of the annual weekend of Remembrance. This year also marks the 75th anniversaries of numerous battles such as D-Day, Kohima, Arnhem and Monte Cassino.
As with many royal events, the Royals were the last ones to appear, being preceded by members of the clergy, politicians and political representatives, who were also there to lay a wreath.
Prince Charles led the royal party on to the street, being flanked by The Queen’s guard of Scouts, who are the highest ranking members for their experience.
Prince Charles leads the royal party onto the Cenotaph. (BBC still)
He was followed – in order of seniority – by The Duke and Cambridge and Sussex, The Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex.
Next came The Princess Royal and The Duke of Kent.
A two minutes’ silence begins the ceremony, punctuated at both ends by the Last Post and guns being fired nearby. This is perhaps the only time each year the capital is silent.
Her Majesty The Queen looked proceedings on from the Foreign Office balcony, joined by Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge.
The Queen, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duchess of Cambridge at the Cenotaph today, watching from the Foreign Office balcony. (Ministry of Defence)
The Duchess of Sussex and Countess of Wessex were joined by Sir Tim Lawrence on the next balcony, while The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were on a balcony with Prince Michael of Kent.
The Countess of Wessex, The Duchess of Sussex and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence at the Cenotaph today, all watching their partners lay wreaths (MInistry of Defence)
The Prince of Wales first laid a wreath for The Queen and nation; then came a wreath for The Duke of Edinburgh, placed by his equerry.
Charles next laid his own wreath, of The Prince of Wales’ feathers, and was followed by his two sons, Princes William and Harry, and his brother, Prince Andrew.
The future King wore his Admiral of the Fleet uniform, while last year he was in his Marshal of the RAF get up. William was dressed in his RAF squadron leader uniform and Harry his army Blues and Royals Major-ranking winter dress. Andrew also wore his Vice Admiral naval uniform.
Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Prince William laying their wreaths at the Cenotaph today, Remembrance Sunday. (Ministry of Defence)
Next came Prince Edward, Anne and The Duke of Kent.
Following the royal wreaths were the political ones, led by the Prime Minister and other party leaders. Former PM’s including Theresa May also placed their poppy circlets on the Cenotaph.
Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter was in attendance at the Cenotaph and laid a wreath alongside the Chiefs of the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Prayers were given by and hymns sung today, before more than 8,000 veterans and charity workers took part in the traditional March Past.
The Duke of York took the salute at Horse Guards’ Parade. Last year it was The Princess Royal.
The Duke of York takes the salute (BBC still)
A brief and well-known poem often quoted for Remembrance; For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon
