News story

皇冠体育app Nation remembers

皇冠体育app nation falls silent as 皇冠体育app Queen and members of the Royal Family join the traditional Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
皇冠体育app Cenotaph, Whitehall, London.

皇冠体育app Cenotaph, Whitehall, London.

皇冠体育app nationally observed two-minute silence, and the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph, commemorates those Servicemen and women killed in all conflicts since the First World War.

This year, 皇冠体育app Queen viewed the ceremony from a balcony of the nearby Foreign & Commonwealth Office, alongside 皇冠体育app Duke of Edinburgh. Her Majesty鈥檚 wreath was laid on her behalf by 皇冠体育app Prince of Wales.

皇冠体育app Prime Minister also attended the service along with Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, and other members of the Cabinet, former Prime Ministers, 皇冠体育app Chiefs of Staff and over 700 regular and reserve personnel.

For the Royal Family, wreaths were also laid by 皇冠体育app Duke of Cambridge, Prince Henry of Wales, 皇冠体育app Duke of York, 皇冠体育app Earl of Wessex, 皇冠体育app Princess Royal and 皇冠体育app Duke of Kent.

Paying tribute to members of the Armed Forces, both past and present, the Prime Minister, 皇冠体育appresa May said:

It was an honour to attend the Remembrance Sunday service and to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in memory of all those who have died in defence of our freedom. This time of year should remind us that our way of life is only made possible by the bravery of the men and women who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe.

We should also take great pride in the way we come together as a nation to honour the fallen. Today I pay tribute not just to our Armed Forces but also to those who stand alongside them in this small act of remembrance each and every year.

To signal the start and the end of the two minutes鈥� silence soldiers from the King鈥檚 Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a round from nearby Horse Guards Parade which echoed around Whitehall.

As the artillery noise faded, buglers of the Royal Marines sounded the poignant Last Post, which traditionally signalled the end of a soldier鈥檚 day.

Following the ceremony thousands of veterans from the Second World War and more recent conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan, marched past the Cenotaph.

Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson said:

I am proud to stand alongside members of the Armed Forces and veterans at the Cenotaph to reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This year we have commemorated the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele where the fields of Flanders saw enormous bravery and vast sacrifice.

On Remembrance Sunday we remember all conflicts including our heroes from more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Around the globe there are currently thousands of troops deployed in 25 operations in more than 30 countries, often putting themselves in danger to make us safer and more secure at home.

After the service at the Cenotaph, 皇冠体育app Earl of Wessex took the Salute at the March Past of Veteran and Civilian Organisations, at Horse Guards Parade.

皇冠体育app Armed Forces also marked Remembrance wherever they were in the world, from guarding NATO鈥檚 eastern border, to striking Daesh in Syria and to the Mediterranean where the Navy is assisting in migrant rescue operations.

Updates to this page

Published 12 November 2017