Armistice Day: UK to hold two-minute silence

Armistice Day will be marked in the UK with a two-minute silence on Friday. 

The commemorations to remember the war dead will include Big Ben striking 11 times. 

The silence is held every year at 11:00 GMT on 11 November to mark the end of WW1 in 1918.

The foreign secretary James Cleverly said “as we salute our troops” this year, “Ukraine’s fight for freedom” will also be remembered. 

Cleverly will attend a remembrance service by French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris. 

In a statement issued ahead of his visit, Mr Cleverly said that the work of the “brave men and women who have served to give us peace” has “been shattered by a Russian aggressor”.

“The UK stands steadfast with our friends and allies in defence of freedom and democracy in Ukraine and I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with an historic ally in Paris,” he added.

The UK will hold more tributes with services on Sunday including one attended by the Royal Family at the Cenotaph. 

During the service – which the Prince and Princess of Wales will attend, King Charles will lay a poppy wreath incorporating a ribbon of his racing colour of scarlet, purple and gold. 

A wreath will be laid on behalf of Camilla, whilst she watches from the balcony. 

Prince Wiliam will lay a wreath, featuring the white Prince of Wales feathers and a new ribbon in Welsh red. 

The Royal Family will also attend the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.