More than 5,000 armed forces personnel march through Waterloo

Waterloo station was packed this morning with soldiers and marching bands (Picture: PA)

Thousands of soldiers and members of the armed forces jumped off trains at Waterloo this morning before marching off to take part in the coronation.

More than 5,000 personnel travelled by train to the capital this morning, in what is believed to be the biggest movement of military staff on Britain’s railways since Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965.

Members of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Commonwealth forces travelled on board seven South Western Railway trains and two chartered West Coast Railways trains.

The soldiers, sailors and aviators arrived to the sound of a special announcement recorded by the King and Queen, which is being played at stations across Britain this weekend.

All of the members of the armed forces will be taking part in the coronation later today(Picture: PA)

They marched through Waterloo station before heading to Westminster(Picture: PA)

The march was a sight to behold for anyone in Westminster this morning(Picture: PA)

It is the largest military group to travel by train since Winston Churchill’s funeral(Picture: PA)

Armed police watched on as the soldiers marched past(Picture: PA)

After leaving Waterloo, they marched over Westminster Bridge to assemble ahead of the coronation.

They headed across the bridge and onto Birdcage Walk. 

The military personnel are leading processions accompanying the King and Queen to and from Westminster Abbey.

Later this morning the armed forces will take part in the King’s coronation as he is anointed at Westminster Abbey at lunchtime.

It is the first UK coronation since that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

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It isbelieved to be the biggest movement of military staff on Britain’s railways since Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965.