London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Apr 23, 2026

Royal Family lead tributes to nation's war dead

The Queen and politicians joined commemorations for those who lost their lives in conflict.

Politicians, Royal Family members and veterans have commemorated those who lost their lives in conflict as the UK marks Remembrance Sunday.

At 11:00 GMT, a two-minute silence was held across the country.

Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Jo Swinson broke away from the election campaign to attend the annual ceremony at the Cenotaph in London.

Prince Charles laid a wreath of poppies during the service on behalf of the Queen, who was watching from a balcony.

The Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex followed their father in laying wreaths.

The Queen, dressed in black, stood beside the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall as she viewed the commemorations.

The Duchess of Sussex looked on from another balcony with the Countess of Wessex and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

The beginning and end of the two minutes' silence were marked by the firing of a gun by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

The commemorations at the Cenotaph honoured the armed forces community, British and Commonwealth veterans, the allies who fought alongside the UK and the civilian servicemen and women involved in the two world wars and later conflicts.

Cabinet ministers, religious leaders and representatives of Commonwealth nations attended alongside more than 800 members of the armed forces.

A royal aide laid a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from royal duties in 2017.

For the first time, the ambassador of Nepal placed a wreath to honour the contribution Gurkha regiments have made to the UK's military campaigns over two centuries.

In another first, the intelligence services were honoured during the ceremony, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Home Secretary Priti Patel laying wreathes on their behalf.

Five former prime ministers Sir John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Theresa May, were all present.

After wreaths were laid, Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally led a service that ended with the Royal Air Force sounding the bugle call, Rouse.

Following the service, crowds lined the streets in the winter sun to watch as up to 10,000 war veterans marched in a slow procession past the war memorial.

Regiments and societies walked past the Cenotaph in groups, their pace matching the drum beat of a brass band.

Some wheelchair-using veterans left their chairs behind and walked the distance instead, their medals sparkling on their lapels.

World War Two veteran Ron Freer, 104, who is blind, is thought to be the oldest person to have marched at the Cenotaph this year.

The Remembrance Sunday commemorations always hold "special significance" for him because his father was killed in 1918 and is buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery in the Somme, France, according to Blind Veterans UK.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Mr Johnson said he would be "proud" to lay his first wreath at the Cenotaph as prime minister, and vowed to continue to "champion those who serve today with such bravery in our military".

Labour leader Mr Corbyn said: "It was an honour meeting and hearing the stories of veterans, and all those who came to pay their respects."

He earlier said in a video message that many serving personnel, veterans and their families were "not getting the support they deserve".

And Liberal Democrat leader Ms Swinson said people should pause to reflect and remember how "fragile" peace can be.

The trio were joined at the commemorations by the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford and the DUP's Nigel Dodds.

Elsewhere, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance at Edinburgh City Chambers before giving a reading at the service at St Giles' Cathedral.

In Northern Ireland, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar laid a green laurel wreath at the war memorial in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, on behalf of his government.

Ceremonies also took place across Wales, including at the Welsh National War Memorial in Cardiff.

This year marks 100 years since the first two-minute silence was observed to mark Armistice Day on 11 November 1919.

The UK's Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, told BBC One's Andrew Marr show it was important to remember that Remembrance Sunday was not only about older people and previous generations.

Gen Carter - Britain's most senior military officer - said many who participated in the commemorations were young men and women who fought in places such as Afghanistan.

"We have to remember the living veterans as well who have a huge amount to offer to society," he added.

The ceremony at the Cenotaph came after Prince Harry, Meghan, Prince William and Kate joined the Queen at London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday for the Festival of Remembrance.

It was their first appearance as a group since Harry and Meghan said they were struggling with public life.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Changi Airport: How Singapore Engineered the World’s Most Efficient Travel Experience
Power Dynamics: Apple’s Leadership Shakeup, Geopolitical Risks in the Strait of Hormuz, and Europe's Energy Strategy Amidst Global Challenges
Apple's Leadership Transition: Can New CEO John Ternus Navigate AI Challenges and Geopolitical Pressures?
Italy’s €100K Tax Gambit: Europe’s Soft Power Tax Haven
News Roundup
Microsoft lost 2.5 millions users (French government) to Linux
Privacy Problems in Microsoft Windows OS
News roundup
Péter András Magyar and the Strategic Reset of Hungary
Hungary After the Landslide — A Strategic Reset in Europe
Meghan Markle Plans Exclusive Women-Focused Retreat During Australia Visit
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
×