At the Cenotaph, Britain paused Sunday for two minutes to remember people who died in world wars and later conflicts, as King Charles III presided over the annual service.
The UK government scheduled the National Service of Remembrance for 11 a.m. GMT. Its order of service called for a two-minute silence, followed by “The Last Post” and wreath-laying. The guidance says the occasion remembers British and Commonwealth service personnel and civilians who died in the world wars and later conflicts.
ITV and Sky News reported that Charles led the silence and placed the first wreath. Prince William, the Prince of Wales, followed, before veterans passed the memorial.
The government’s preview forecast about 10,000 veterans for the march and said more than 300 Armed Forces and civilian organizations would be represented. ITV later reported that about 10,000 veterans took part, while Sky News put the turnout above that figure. ITV also reported about a dozen World War II veterans marched; Sky separately cited a royal commentator who said organizers knew of about a dozen.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham also laid a wreath. ITV and Sky News reported that nine former prime ministers attended, including Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham said he was “incredibly proud” to honor those whose sacrifices, he said, continue to protect Britain.
The date shifts each year to the Sunday nearest Armistice Day, Nov. 11, which marks the 1918 end of hostilities in World War I. The British Army says a temporary memorial was erected for the 1919 Victory Parade, with a permanent stone version following in 1920.
The Royal British Legion held its separate Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, Nov. 7. The Legion said this year’s festival marked 35 years since the Gulf War and 15 years since Operation TELIC ended. It has scheduled a two-minute silence for Armistice Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
