The King led a two-minute silence at the Cenotaph to commemorate war dead. Photo / Getty Images
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 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 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 World War II, 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 a wreath decked with white Prince of Wales feathers.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was accompanied by eight former prime ministers, laid a wreath, as did party leaders Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey, as well as representatives of Plaid Cymru, the DUP and the speaker of the House of Commons.
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 8 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 World War II personnel in attendance, while the six 101-year-olds registered to march included Sid Machin, one of the last surviving “Chindit” soldiers from the Burma campaign.
Starmer 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.”
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