Prince William and Kate join King Charles as he leads Remembrance Sunday two-minute silence at the Cenotaph

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived to mark Remembrance Sunday as King Charles prepared to lead the country into a two-minute silence to remember those killed in conflict.

Charles will lay a wreath at the National Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in London, where he will be joined by other senior royals and politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Princess Catherine waved to the crowd as she arrived at Prince William, with Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh following shortly after.

While this year’s Armistice Day marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, ceremonies are also being held across the country to commemorate the martyrs.

Nearly 10,000 armed forces veterans are taking part in the Royal British Legion’s march in Whitehall, along with around 20 Second World War veterans.

Before the two-minute silence at 11am, military bands performed songs including Rule Britannia as crowds watched throughout Whitehall.

Last night Charles looked visibly moved by a heartfelt rendition of God Save the King at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance.

The monarch, who was named patron of the Royal British Legion last year, was later greeted with three cheers by the Armed Forces at the Royal Albert Hall.

It was also a memorable night for Prince George, who made his debut alongside his mother, the Princess of Wales, at the Festival of Remembrance. George effectively stood in for his father, Prince William, who returned from the Earthshot Prize Awards and the COP30 summit in Brazil.

Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder and Keala Settle also attended last night’s event; where the RAF Central Band, RAF Squadrons and HM Royal Marines Band performed.

Ahead of today’s commemorations, the Prime Minister said: ‘This Remembrance Sunday, we stand as a nation to honor all those who have served our country.

‘We reflect on the extraordinary bravery of our armed forces in the world wars and subsequent conflicts whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive before the National Service of Remembrance

Charles looked visibly moved by the Royal Albert Hall’s rendition of God Save the King last night.

Members of the military band perform at the start of the Remembrance ceremony on Sunday

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria leave Downing Street for the ceremony

Wreaths will be laid at the memorial service at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday

‘Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, we commemorate a generation that stood against oppression and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace, and it is our duty to preserve it.

‘Such sacrifice deserves more than silence, which is why this Government is committed to supporting veterans, their families and those who served.

‘Today we remember and renew our promise to protect the values ​​they fought for.’

Among those preparing to march is Donald Poole, 101, a Royal Army Ordnance Corps technician who deals with defective explosives or enemy ordnance.

Originally from Bromley, Kent, he was serving in India when Japan’s surrender was announced in 1945, sparking impromptu celebration.

He said: ‘It is a great honor to remember the poor souls who have died in all conflicts and I know how lucky I am to still be here thanks to all who have fought and served, past and present.

‘I would also like to pay tribute to the civil services that suffered during the Second World War, particularly the fire service, who saved many lives during the Blitz, many of whom lost their own lives.’

Sid Machin, another of the six 101-year-olds registered for the march, is one of the last surviving ‘Chindit’ soldiers from the Burma campaign in the Second World War.

Mr. Machin, a young man of about 19, landed behind enemy lines in a glider at night as part of a special forces unit in Burma (now Myanmar), damaging Japanese supply lines and infrastructure.

Mr Machin, from Dorset, said: ‘I am proud to walk at the Cenotaph today with the Chindit Community to mark the end of an emotional year recalling my own and my comrades’ service in the Far East.

‘It was hard but we had to get through it and look out for each other. ‘I will be thinking of all those I served with, especially those who were unable to return home.’

Veterans in Whitehall ahead of Sunday’s memorial service at the Cenotaph

Veterans wait to take positions in Whitehall ahead of Remembrance Sunday

Veterans arrive for start of 2025 National Memorial Service

Ceremonies will be held throughout the country for the martyrs

Nearly 10,000 armed forces veterans will take part in the Royal British Legion’s march on Whitehall, alongside around 20 Second World War veterans

Chelsea Pensioners arrive at Horse Guards Parade before Sunday service

Veterans watch Chelsea Pensioners arrive at Horse Guards Parade

Veterans applaud as Chelsea Pensioners arrive at Horse Guards Parade

Royal fan Joseph Afrane wears patriotic outfits adorned with poppies in Whitehall

Veterans gather at the Horse Guards Parade ahead of the Royal British Legion march past the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday

Eileen Marshall, 98, is one of three female World War II veterans expected to walk to the Cenotaph this year.

Miss Marshall, from Ilkley in West Yorkshire, left home in 1944, aged 17, to join the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS).

Following initial training he was drafted to HMS Ganges, where his duties included looking after officers’ quarters.

He said: ‘Serving in the WRNS was one of the happiest times of my life but also one of the saddest, especially when sailors, including my cousin, were lost at sea.

‘On Remembrance Sunday I will march with the HMS Ganges Association to honor all those who gave their lives, including my husband Ray, who served in the Highland Regiment and passed away in 1994. ‘As long as I remember him and those who died, I will wear his medals with pride.’

A two-minute silence was observed at 11:00 on Sunday, and the march started at 11:25.

A member of the public wears a Union Jack hat and ferret jacket ahead of Remembrance Sunday

Veterans gather at the Horse Guards Parade ahead of the Royal British Legion crossing the Cenotaph

Preparations were seen being made for the Remembrance Sunday service in Whitehall today

Thousands of people will gather in Whitehall to honor those who died in the war. Many were seen arriving early on Sunday

Thousands of people are expected to line up in Whitehall to pay tribute.

Police marksmen stake out Whitehall ahead of Remembrance Sunday

The monarch was joined in the royal box by Prince George and the Princess of Wales on Saturday

The Princess of Wales arrived at the Royal Albert Hall with her son Prince George on Saturday

Chief of the Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, said: ‘From the Cenotaph in London to monuments in towns and villages across the UK and everywhere our armed forces serve around the world, we stand to remember their bravery, their sacrifice and their enduring legacy.

‘We will remember them.’

Philippa Rawlinson, commemoration director at the Royal British Legion, said: ‘As we gather together on Remembrance Sunday, we pay our respects not just to them, but to all those who bravely defended our freedoms and preserved our way of life.

‘The dedication of our armed forces community is extraordinary, from risking their lives in war zones to spending time away from their families to providing vital support during emergencies and humanitarian disasters.

‘We encourage the nation to pause, reflect and remember their service and sacrifice.’