Armed Forces join Royal Family and thousands of veterans at National Service of Remembrance

Members of the Armed Forces joined the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and thousands of veterans at the Cenotaph today for the National Service of Remembrance.

More than 800 Armed Forces personnel took part in the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremonies in central London.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who attended the service at the Cenotaph, said:

“As the nation comes together to remember all those who died serving their country, we remember with gratitude the sacrifices of the entire Armed Forces community and thank all those in uniform who protect our country and its way of life.”

The Chief of the Defence Staff and the service chiefs of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force laid a wreath on behalf of the Armed Forces.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said:

“At the Cenotaph, around the country and on operations overseas, members of the Armed Forces will pause to remember all those who have died in service of their country. The legacy of the fallen lives on in the dedication and duty of today’s Armed Forces.”

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a minute gun from Horse Guards Parade at 1100 to begin the Two Minute Silence. A bugler from The Royal Marines Band Service performed The Last Post.

Throughout the service, music was provided by The Massed Bands of the Household Division.

Following the service, trumpeters of the Royal Air Force sounded the Rouse before the massed bands performed the national anthem.

This year, Remembrance Sunday ends a year of anniversaries including the 70^th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, the 80^th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and the 20^th anniversary of the start of British military operations in Iraq.

This Remembrance Sunday is the first year nuclear test veterans joined the veterans’ march past the Cenotaph with their new medal, announced in November 2022.

The Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Central Band of the Royal Air Force joined The Massed Bands of the Household Division to play music as around 10,000 veterans marched past the Cenotaph.