On Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, the country remembered the fallen who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all conflicts since the First World War. The King was joined by senior members of the Royal Family, and crowds of military personnel, veterans and their families to mark the day on Whitehall, just down the road from the Houses of Parliament.
King Charles led the royal party onto the street just before 11am, when a two-minute silence was held to honour the war dead. Big Ben chimed to signal the start of the silence, ending with a cannon blast from Horse Guards Parade and a bugler playing the Last Post.
An aerial view of the Cenotaph today
Standing on the central balcony of the Foreign Office, The Princess of Wales observed the events alongside The Duchess of Edinburgh.
Today’s appearance from Catherine marks one of her few public engagements that she has undertaken in 2024, following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year which saw her take a step back from public duties to undergo treatment.
Announced in September, Kate completed a course of preventative chemotherapy, much to her ‘relief’ and spoke about her cancer journey describing it as ‘complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone’. The Princess also attended last night’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Catherine and Sophie chat ahead of the National Service of Remembrance on Whitehall
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Sir Tim Lawrence and The Duke of Kent also observed the events from the balcony, marking a rare public appearance from Prince Edward who has scaled back his public engagements at the age of 89. He didn’t attend last year’s service.
Queen Camilla was not in attendance due to suffering from a chest infection. Buckingham Palace said that ‘following doctors’ guidance to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection she would not attend. The Queen marked Remembrance weekend privately at home.
The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Edinburgh in the centre balcony, with The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to their right, and The Duke of Kent and Sir Tim Laurence on the left
Cannon at Horse Guards Parade and a bugler playing the Last Post ended the silence.
Charles’ wreath, laid first as Sovereign and Head of the Armed Forces, was decorated with the royal racing colours of ourple, red and gold ribbon. His note read: ‘In grateful remembrance of your service and sacrifice. Charles R.’
the Royal Party at the Cenotaph
The King wore his uniform as Admiral Fleet of the Royal Navy.
His wreath was followed by one from The Queen, which was laid by her equerry Major Ollie Plunkett, with The Prince of Wales coming next in the procession order. Prince William was wearing the uniform of Commander of the Royal Air Force and his wreath featured the Prince of Wales feathers.
The King salutes after laying a wreath at the Cenotaph during the National Service of Remembrance
The Duke of Edinburgh, in his Royal Honorary Colonel of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry uniform, came next, followed by. The Princess Royal, in her uniform as an Admiral of the Royal Navy, followed.
A wreath was laid on behalf of The Duke of Kent.
Political leaders , including the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Home Secretary, the leaders of the devolved nations, Commonwealth representatives and former Prime Ministers were next.
Earlier in the morning, almost 10,000 veterans and 800 armed forces personnel from all three service branches took part in a march-past at the Cenotaph, with music from the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth, the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and The Massed Bands of the Household Division.
They were joined by thousands of members of the public who applauded them as they walked by, and thanked them for their service.
The Band of Royal Marines Portsmouth and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force joined the Massed Bands of the Household Division to play music as around 10,000 veterans marched past the Cenotaph.
Among those taking part were nuclear test veterans, who for the first time wore a medal acknowledging their contribution
