King Charles led the United Kingdom’s annual National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in central London, commemorating men and women who lost their lives in wars and conflicts. Tens of thousands of veterans and civilians joined the ceremony, which included a two-minute silence to honor fallen service members.
Dressed in his Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet uniform, the King laid the first wreath on behalf of the nation. Other Royal Family members, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, were present, with Catherine making one of her first public appearances since her cancer treatment. Queen Camilla was absent, recovering from a chest infection.
Political leaders, including newly elected Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, also participated in the wreath-laying ceremony. The event followed traditional protocol, with only heads of parties with six or more parliamentary seats permitted to lay wreaths.
Veterans from various conflicts marched past the Cenotaph, representing 326 different armed forces and civilian organizations. World War Two veterans like Henry Rice and 101-year-old Joe Randall shared personal reflections, emphasizing the importance of remembering fallen comrades. More recent conflict veterans, such as Iraq war veteran Karl Hinnett and Falklands veteran John Phillips, also highlighted the significance of commemorating those who served.
The ceremony included 50 young people from Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity supporting children of fallen service members. Cerie Pallett, who lost her father at nine, carried the charity’s wreath.
Remembrance events were not limited to London. Services took place in cities across the UK, including Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Plymouth, Liverpool, and Manchester. In Belfast, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill became the first senior Sinn Féin figure to attend the main Sunday ceremony.
The previous evening, the Royal Family attended the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. King Charles, who has also been treated for cancer, received a standing ovation upon arrival.
The weekend’s events preceded Armistice Day, which marks the end of World War One at 11:00 on November 11, 1918. Similar two-minute silence observances are planned across the UK and allied nations on Monday.
Veterans and civilians alike emphasized the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. As John Phillips noted, “Many of the veterans will tell you it’s very important that these people are remembered forever and their stories will be told forever.”
The Remembrance Sunday ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel across generations, bringing together veterans, families, and the nation to honor their memory and service.
