King leads Remembrance Sunday service
The King appeared emotional as he led the nation in a two-minute silence to commemorate the war dead.
The monarch laid a poppy wreath and saluted at the Cenotaph, taking centre stage in a ritual performed for more than 100 years.
It was the third time since his coronation that the King has led the national service of remembrance, and the second that he has done so while undergoing cancer treatment.
He was joined by his son and heir, the Prince of Wales, and his brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, who each laid their own wreaths.
The Queen and the Princess of Wales, both dressed in smart black coats and wearing large red poppies, stood shoulder to shoulder as they watched from a balcony.
The Queen and the Princess of Wales – James Manning/PA
The King led members of his family out into Whitehall shortly before 11am. As Big Ben struck the hour, approximately 10,000 veterans, gathered in their uniforms and medals, observed a two-minute silence before a gun was fired and the Last Post was sounded by the buglers of the Royal Marines.
Among the crowds were some of the last surviving veterans of the Second World War, and young children who had lost their parents to military conflict.
The monarch, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, wore his Field Marshal No 1 ceremonial frock coat with greatcoat and sword.
His wreath closely resembled that produced for his father, George VI, featuring 41 open poppy petals mounted on black leaves.
Major Ollie Plunket of the Rifles, equerry to the Queen, laid a wreath on her behalf.
Prince William, who returned to the UK on Saturday following an official visit to Brazil, where he attended his annual Earthshot Prize ceremony and the Cop30 climate conference, laid his own wreath, decked with white Prince of Wales feathers.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer, who was accompanied by eight former prime ministers, laid his own wreath followed by Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey, as well as representatives of Plaid Cymru, the DUP and the speaker of the House of Commons.
Britain’s former prime ministers Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major – Toby Melville/Reuters
The Queen and the Princess of Wales both smiled as the King departed to applause from the crowd after the national anthem was sung at the end of the ceremony.
At about 11.45am, the Royal British Legion began a march-past. The crowds lining the streets of Whitehall applauded as participants, aged from 101 to eight and accompanied by music played by the Massed Bands of the Household Division and the combined bands of the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force, proudly walked by.
Some, including several Chelsea Pensioners, were pushed in wheelchairs while others travelled on mobility scooters.
Three D-Day veterans were among the 20 Second World War personnel in attendance, while the six 101-year-olds registered to march included Sid Machin, one of the last surviving “Chindit” soldiers from the Second World War Burma campaign.
The choristers of the Chapels Royal during the Remembrance Sunday service – Jonathan Brady/PA
Sir Keir said: “This Remembrance Sunday, we pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country. We reflect on the extraordinary courage of our armed forces in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts, whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today.
“Eighty years since the end of the Second World War, we remember a generation who stood against tyranny and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace, and our duty is to protect it.
“Such sacrifice deserves more than silence, which is why this Government remains committed to supporting veterans, their families, and those who serve. Today, we remember, and we renew our promise to uphold the values they fought for.”
The Telegraph’s Christmas Charity Appeal is this year supporting The Not Forgotten.
01:06pm
That’s all for today
Thank you for following our live coverage and for joining in the discussion.
12:40pm
Veterans travelling to overseas commemorative events will receive Government support
Second World War veterans will be offered support to travel overseas to commemorative events to help them “remember, reconnect and pay their respects”, the Government has said.
In an announcement on Remembrance Sunday, the Ministry of Defence said it recognised the “profound importance” of enabling those who had served in the conflict to pay their respects at sites where they fought and their comrades had fallen.
It comes ahead of the publication of the Government’s Veterans Strategy on Monday, which will outline plans for celebrating veterans and recognising them as a strategic national asset.
(left to right) Sergeant Ben Beale, with veterans Jack Mortimer, John Life, Corporal Aaron Stone, veteran Donald Jones, Corporal Paul Squires, and veteran Peter Newton, as the veterans returned to Sword Beach in Normandy in June 2024 – Jordan Pettitt/PA
Jack Mortimer, from Leeds, who served as a corporal with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during war and landed on Sword Beach on D-Day in 1944, said he was “grateful” for the new support.
The 102-year-old said: “Going back to Normandy means everything to those of us who are still here.
“It’s where we lost so many good men, and it’s important that we can pay our respects to the friends who never came home.
“At my age, these journeys aren’t easy, but they matter more than anything.
“This support from the Government will help veterans like me make that trip whilst we still can.
“We owe it to our comrades to be there, to remember them where they fell. I’m very grateful for this commitment.”
Veterans march during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph – Yui Mok/PA
Defence minister Lord Coaker, who witnessed first-hand the importance of these events for veterans, said: “I have had the privilege to attend commemorations marking the Polish contribution to Operation Market Garden in Poland, the Battle of Arnhem in the Netherlands, and the liberation of Bergen-Belsen in Germany.
“These events strengthen ties with Nato allies, but also at a human level, to recognise the extraordinary courage and contribution of Allied nations in achieving peace.
“While we can never repay their generation, we are committed to helping them to remember, reconnect and pay their respects in the place where so many fell for our freedom.”
Veterans and serving military personal attend Remembrance Sunday tributes in Edinburgh – Jeff J Mitchell/Getty
12:32pm
London cabbies ferry veterans to and from Cenotaph for free
The Union Jack Club, which provides hospitality and accommodation for serving and former rank-and-file members of the Armed Forces, has thanked London taxi drivers for once again ferrying veterans to and from the Cenotaph for free.
A black cab cavalcade known as the Poppy Cab service laid on around 1,000 free journeys for those attending the service.
12:19pm
Support The Not Forgotten charity
The Telegraph’s Christmas Charity Appeal is this year supporting The Not Forgotten.
Founded 105 years ago following the Great War, The Not Forgotten recognised the need for veterans to remain connected to their military family and today transforms the lives of both veterans and serving personnel across the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy, especially those living with injury, illness or isolation.
The charity’s provision of activities from respite breaks to Royal events makes a profound difference.
The other charities being supported in this year’s appeal are Prostate Cancer Research, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Canine Partners. To make a donation, please visit telegraph.co.uk/appeal2025 or call 0151 317 5247.
12:15pm
Nato-led peacekeeping force pays respects
British soldiers serving in the Kosovo Force (KFOR), a Nato-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, have taken part in a wreath-laying ceremony.
The act formed part of the Remembrance Sunday Commemoration in Pristina.
British soldiers serving in the Kosovo Force take part in a wreath laying ceremony – ARMEND NIMANI/AFP
12:02pm
Green Party leader wears white poppy
The Green Party leader said he believed “we can have a world without war”, ahead of the National Service of Remembrance.
Zack Polanski wore a white poppy which he said was created “mainly from women’s groups who were talking about peace and anti-fascism” after the First World War.
He told Sky News it symbolised “looking ahead to the future and saying, we want a world of peace”.
The Green Party wants to see every country denuclearise, including Russia, and it was put to the leader “that would be in the realms of miracle”.
Mr Polanski responded: “These are really serious issues and at the same time I believe we should never leave the negotiating table, and part of that is showing both the moral and courageous leadership to come on TV and say to you – even though this might be a position that’s ridiculed I don’t think we should find peace and diplomacy ridiculous.
“I think actually the most brave and courageous and authentic thing to do is say, ‘I believe we can have a world without war’.”
Zack Polanski and Philip May watch the service at the Cenotaph from a balcony – Samir Hussein/WireImage
11:48am
Remembrance services take place across the UK
Remembrance Sunday events have been taking place around the country with Armistice Day still to come on Nov 11 – when the First World War ended in 1918.
This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Military veterans during a Remembrance Sunday service and parade at Guildhall Square, Portsmouth – Andrew Matthews/PA
John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, lays a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance outside the City Chambers in Edinburgh – Jane Barlow/PA
Veterans during the service at Guildhall Square, Portsmouth – Andrew Matthews/PA
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn lays a wreath during a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Enniskillen – Liam McBurney/PA
Members of the public during a remembrance service at the cenotaph at Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park, Cardiff – Matthew Horwood/Getty
11:39am
Scotty’s striped scarves in the crowd
Among those marching to the Cenotaph today are 100 bereaved family members from the Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity, including 56 children and young people from 38 families, the youngest just eight years old.
The charity has long been supported by Prince Harry, who wrote a letter to the bereaved children last week hailing their strength and unity.
“I often think back to my own time in the military; the friendships, the laughs, and the sense that no matter what, someone’s got your back,” Harry told them.
“That same spirit lives in all of you.”
The Royal British Legion parade will pass by the Cenotaph – Paul Grover/The Telegraph
Prince Harry added: “Every time I see what Scotty’s families do – the way you remember your loved ones while still finding joy and living life to the fullest – I’m reminded of just how strong and inspiring you all are. Your mums and dads would be so proud of you. We all are.”
The Norfolk-based charity was founded by Nikki Scott 15 years ago following the death of her husband, Cpl Lee Scott, in Afghanistan.
Its members wear distinctive yellow-and-black striped scarves to match the colours of Cpl Scott’s 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.
The Duke of Sussex wearing a Scotty’s Little Soldiers scarf – Archewell
11:33am
Pictured: The King salutes
The King stared solemnly ahead as the National Anthem was sung.
He then led the Royal family back inside the Foreign Office building, with the Queen and the Princess of Wales smiling proudly as they watched from above.
The King salutes after laying a wreath during the Remembrance Sunday service – Yui Mok/PA
11:32am
National Anthem followed by applause
The Queen and the Princess of Wales, both dressed in black, sang the national anthem on Remembrance Sunday from a balcony overlooking the Cenotaph.
Politicians and members of the royal family in attendance at the service departed after laying wreaths so thousands of veterans could begin their march past the monument in central London.
The Queen and the Princess of Wales – James Manning/PA
The choristers of the Chapels Royal during the Remembrance Sunday service – Jonathan Brady/PA
11:27am
Archbishop of Canterbury recites Lord’s Prayer
Dame Sarah Mullally has taken part in her first Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in her new role as Archbishop of Canterbury-designate.
The Archbishop led those gathered in Whitehall in The Lord’s Prayer.
Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, during the Remembrance Sunday service – Jonathan Brady/PA
11:19am
Prime Ministers past and present attend service
Prime Ministers past and present have laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in central London to honour the nation’s war dead.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle were among the other political figures who laid floral tributes during the Remembrance Sunday service.
John Healey MP, the Defence Secretary, also laid a wreath and earlier paid tribbute to those who had made the ultiamte sacrifice in defence of their country.
He said: “On Remembrance Sunday we come together to honour those who fought and died so we could live in freedom.
“We pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our country, and we recognise the dedication of those who serve in our Armed Forces today to safeguard the peace we all inherited.
“As a nation, we pay our respects and thank our entire Armed Forces community. We will never take their service for granted.”
Former prime ministers John Major and Tony Blair attend the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony – Toby Melville/Reuters
In a post on the social media site X, Theresa May said: “It is an honour to stand at the Cenotaph to commemorate the courage and sacrifice of all who served in defence of the peace and freedoms we cherish today.”
Former prime ministers Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson Liz Truss and Theresa May at the Cenotaph – James Manning/PA
Britain’s former prime ministers Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major – Toby Melville/Reuters
11:15am
Prince of Wales pays his respects
b’
‘
The Prince of Wales, dressed in Royal Air Force uniform in the rank of Wing Commander, saluted after laying his wreath at the Cenotaph.
He may be forgiven for feeling a touch of jet-lag having only arrived home yesterday from Brazil, where he attended his annual Earthshot Prize ceremony and the Cop30 climate conference.
He is wearing his RAF uniform in the rank of Wing Commander with greatcoat, poppy and sword.
His wreath will be carried by his equerry, Squadron Leader Mike Reynolds, a helicopter pilot seconded from the RAF who is an Afghanistan veteran.
Prince William completed seven and a half years of full-time operational military service.
He trained as a search and rescue helicopter pilot at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales before working as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance from March 2015 until July 2017.
He said recently that flying a helicopter is his “happy place” and last November, revealed that he missed his search and rescue work.
“I miss this life. Any chance to get back, I’ll take,” he said as he took to the seas with a rescue crew during an official visit to Cape Town.
Promoting the role and the welfare of those who are serving, or who have served, in the Armed Forces remains a key focus for him.
The Prince of Wales during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph – Jonathan Brady/PA
The Prince of Wales lays a wreath during the Remembrance Sunday service – Jonathan Brady/PA
11:12am
Pictured: The Princess of Wales
The Princess of Wales attending the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph – Max Mumby
11:06am
The King lays a wreath at the Cenotaph
The King, wearing a field marshal uniform with a ceremonial frock coat, saluted after he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
The King’s wreath closely resembles that produced for George VI.
It features 41 open style poppy petals made from bonded fabric, or hard wearing paper.
As is traditional, the King’s wreath is mounted on an arrangement of black leaves and is 27” diameter.
Its ribbon and bow uses the scarlet, purple and gold colours from the King’s racing silk.
The Queen was forced to miss last year’s Remembrance Day service after contracting a chest infection. Her son, Tom Parker Bowles said in an interview later “She hates that she missed Remembrance Sunday. That’s a big day for her.”
The Queen will today watch the service from the centre balcony at the Foreign Office alongside the Princess of Wales.
The Princess has never missed Remembrance Sunday since she married Prince William in 2011.
Last year, as she continued her own recovery from cancer, she stood alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The King Charles attends the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph – AP/Alastair Grant
11:06am
Royal Family watches from the balcony
The Queen, the Princess of Wales and other members of the royal family have taken their places on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office balconies overlooking the Cenotaph.
The Duchess of Edinburgh is watching the service from the left balcony of the Foreign Office building alongside the Duke of Kent, 90, who gave a firm salute as the service began.
The Duke of Edinburgh is wearing his Royal Wessex Yeomanry uniform.
The Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke of Kent during the Remembrance Sunday service – Jonathan Brady/PA
The Royal family rallied around the Duke in September following the death of his wife, the Duchess of Kent, 92.
The Duke’s wreath will be laid by equerry Captain Pieter Myburgh from The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Carabiniers and Greys
The Duke holds 10 military appointments and has served as Royal Honorary Colonel of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry for more than 20 years.
He is also Colonel of the Scots Guards, Colonel of the London Guards and Colonel in Chief of The Royal Dragoon Guards and The Queen’s Royal Hussars.
The Princess of Wales and the Queen are on the centre section and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are on the right.
The Queen and the Princess of Wales during the Remembrance Sunday service – Jonathan Brady/PA
11:00am
The King begins two-minute silence
The King is leading the nation in a two-minute silence.
Today’s Remembrance ceremony marks the second that the King has attended while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
The monarch, who is Commander-in-Chief of the armed services, is wearing his Field Marshal No.1 Ceremonial Frock Coat with greatcoat and sword, affixed of course with a poppy.
He is accompanied by his long serving equerry, Lt Col Jonny Thompson, Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The King’s relationship with the Armed Forces began in March 1971 at RAF Cranwell, where he gained his RAF wings.
Veterans arrive at the Cenotaph – Paul Grover for The Telegraph
In September 1971, after a passing out parade, he embarked on a Naval career, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and both his great-grandfathers.
The six-week course at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, was followed by service on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk and two frigates.
The King qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1974 before joining 845 Naval Air Squadron, which operated from the Commando carrier HMS Hermes.
In February 1976, the King took command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington for his last nine months in the Royal Navy.
He holds numerous military ranks and affiliations, including Captain General, Royal Marines; Colonel-in-Chief, the Parachute Regiment; Colonel-in-Chief, the Royal Gurkha Rifles; Honorary Commodore-in-Chief, Aircraft Carriers; and Royal Honorary Air Commodore, Royal Air Force Marham.
The Massed Bands of the Household Division on Whitehall – Yui Mok/PA
10:53am
Pictured: Princess of Wales arrives
The Princess of Wales waved briefly to onlookers as she arrived at the service alongside Prince William wearing a black coat affixed with a large poppy and a black hat.
The Queen and the Princess of Wales will watch the ceremony from a balcony overlooking the Cenotaph.
The Princess of Wales arrives in Westminster – George Cracknell Wright
10:51am
‘I will proudly wear my husband’s medals’, says veteran
A 98-year-old attendee is one of three female Second World War veterans marching at the Cenotaph.
Eileen Marshall, from Ilkley in West Yorkshire, left home in 1944 aged 17 to join the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS).
After initial training, she was drafted to HMS Ganges, where her role involved looking after the officers’ quarters.
She said: “Serving in the WRNS was one of the happiest times of my life, but also one of the saddest, especially when sailors were lost at sea, including my cousin.
“On Remembrance Sunday, I will be marching with the HMS Ganges Association to honour all those who gave their lives, including my husband Ray, who served with the Highland Regiment and passed away in 1994. I will proudly wear his medals as I remember him and all the fallen.”
Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) veterans gather on Horse Guards Parade – Kevin Coombs/Reuters
10:48am
Pictured: Veterans assemble in Whitehall
Veterans of the Second World War were applauded by crowds as they were positioned close to the Cenotaph.
Three D-Day veterans are amongst the personnel who are attending Sunday’s Remembrance service in London.
The Band of the Royal Marines march on Whitehall – Yui Mok/PA
Members of the Royal Nay march on Whitehall – James Manning/PA
Veterans on Whitehall ahead of the Remembrance Sunday service – James Manning/PA
10:41am
Prince George joins King and Queen for Festival of Remembrance
b’
‘
Prince George last night joined his mother, the Princess of Wales, and the King and Queen, for his first Remembrance Day event.
The 12-year-old’s appearance at the Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall marked a notable milestone for the future King.
The Princess of Wales stands next to her son during the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance – Jack Taylor/Reuters
Prince George accompanied his mother in the absence of the Prince of Wales, who was forced to miss the event as he flew home from Belem, Brazil, where he attended Cop30, following the Earthshot Awards in Rio.
A poppy pinned to his lapel, he carried out his duties with aplomb, shaking hands as required and standing solemnly alongside his mother in the royal box.
Prince George and the Princess of Wales join the King and Queen in the royal box – Reuters/Jack Taylor
The crowd at the Royal Albert Hall in London stood as the family entered to a trumpeters’ fanfare and took their seats in the royal box.
The Princess of Wales, wearing a black dress with a white collar by Alessandra Rich, an HMS Glasgow brooch and earrings belonging to the late Queen, was seated next to her son. The dress was adorned with a handmade poppy created out of silk, glass and other natural materials by Izzy Ager of Lock and Co.
Prince George and the Princess of Wales greet attendees at the festival – Jack Taylor/Reuters
10:27am
Veterans will take part in Royal British Legion march past
Around 10,000 veterans will take part in the Royal British Legion’s march past.
Among those set to march is 101-year-old Donald Poole, a Royal Army Ordnance Corps technician who handled defective explosives or enemy ammunition.
Originally from Bromley, Kent, he was serving in India in 1945 when Japan’s surrender was announced, sparking an impromptu celebration.
He said: “It is a great honour to be able to pay tribute to the poor souls who have died in all conflicts and I know how lucky I am to still be here thanks to all those who have fought and served, past and present.
“I also want to pay tribute to the civilian services who suffered during the Second World War, particularly the fire service, who saved so many lives during the Blitz – many of whom lost their own.”
Chelsea Pensioners arrive on Horse Guards Parade ahead of the march past – Kevin Coombs/Reuters
Sid Machin, another of the six 101-year-olds registered to march, is one of the last surviving “Chindit” soldiers from the Second World War’s Burma campaign.
As a young man of about 19, Mr Machin landed behind enemy lines in a glider at night in the jungle, as part of a special forces unit in Burma (now Myanmar), which wreaked havoc on Japanese supply lines and infrastructure.
Mr Machin, from Dorset, said: “I am proud to be marching at the Cenotaph today with the Chindit Society to mark the end of an emotional year remembering my own and my comrades service in the Far East.
“It was tough but we just had to get on with it and watch out for each other. I will be thinking of everyone I served with and especially those that didn’t make it home.”
Veterans applaud as Chelsea Pensioners arrive – Kevin Coombs/Reuters
10:26am
Government remains committed to supporting veterans, says Sir Keir Starmer said
Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government remains committed to supporting veterans.
The Prime Minister said: “This Remembrance Sunday, we pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country.
“We reflect on the extraordinary courage of our armed forces in the world wars and subsequent conflicts, whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today.
“Eighty years since the end of the Second World War, we remember a generation who stood against tyranny and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace and our duty is to protect it.
“Such sacrifice deserves more than silence, which is why this Government remains committed to supporting veterans, their families and those who serve.
“Today, we remember, and we renew our promise to uphold the values they fought for.”
Sir Keir Starmer at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, on Saturday – Jack Taylor/Reuters
10:24am
Britain’s security cannot be left to military alone, says Chief of Defence Staff
The security of Britain is a “national endeavour” that cannot be the responsibility of the military alone, the Chief of Defence Staff has said.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of defence staff, said national security also requires the “support of a society that understands” what is at stake in an increasingly “dangerous world”.
Sir Richard’s intervention – his first since taking up his post in September – came on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.
At the same time, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, said she feared Britain was “losing a sense” of its identity, and it was “tragic and concerning” that people no longer felt the call to serve.
And the head of the Royal British Legion said the UK was facing a “new era of threat”, and praised the efforts of veterans such as Andrew Johnson, the train driver who “drew on his military experience” to save passengers’ lives during the Huntingdon train attack.
Read the full story here.
Sir Richard Knighton has issued a warning to the UK public that everyone must play their part in the nation’s security – UK MoD Crown Copyright
10:19am
King to lead two-minute silence
The King is set to lead the nation in a two-minute silence to remember those who died in conflict.
Members of The Royal Family and senior politicians will lay wreaths at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.
Around 10,000 armed forces veterans will take part in the Royal British Legion’s march-past including about 20 Second World War veterans.
A sea of poppies and military uniforms could be seen as hundreds of people lined Whitehall on Sunday morning.
The two-minute silence begins at 11am on Sunday, with the march starting at 11.25am.
The King at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on Saturday – Jack Taylor/Reuters
