UK Remembers

From the BBC:

“King leads two-minute silence at Remembrance Sunday service”

King Charles III led the nation in a two-minute silence at 11:00 GMT on Sunday during the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph. He laid a wreath at the monument in central London as part of the service to remember those who died in conflict. Services also took place in communities across the UK, including in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.

Some 10,000 armed forces veterans took part in the Royal British Legion's march-past through Whitehall, alongside around 20 World War Two veterans. Ahead of the ceremony on Sunday morning, there was a warm applause from the crowd when a group of the World War Two veterans arrived on Whitehall. Their presence carried some poignancy now there are such small numbers of surviving veterans to represent that generation. Crowds gathered along Whitehall and around the gates of Downing Street in central London, with children from Scout groups handing out orders of service.

The King was joined by other senior royals, including the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, and political leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Princess Anne is currently in Australia and attended a remembrance service at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey also laid wreaths at the ceremony, while Scottish First Minister John Swinney attended Edinburgh's service. Events took place around the country to mark Remembrance Sunday, which is observed on the Sunday nearest to Armistice Day on 11 November - when World War One ended in 1918. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

Ahead of Sunday's events, the prime minister said the nation would pause "to honour all those who have served our country". He added: "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." Donald Poole, a 101-year-old who is a veteran of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, joined the march at the Cenotaph with the Burma Star Memorial Fund. "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," he said. On Saturday evening, the King was joined by Prince George, Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales, at this year's Festival of Remembrance in London's Royal Albert Hall. The audience stood and a fanfare played as the royals entered the concert hall to commemorate those who lost their lives in service. It was thought to be 12-year-old George's first time attending the annual concert, where he sat next to his mother, Catherine.

Earlier this year, events were held to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE (Victory in Europe) Day, and VJ (Victory over Japan) Day, which took place at the end of World War Two. During four days of events to commemorate VE Day, the King and other senior royals oversaw a military procession through London followed by an RAF flypast over Buckingham Palace.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr43p09kk1po