King Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday (Picture: Reuters)
The UK fell silent as the King laid a wreath on Remembrance Sunday for the first time since the Queen died.
The King honoured the nation’s war dead as he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in remembrance of all those who died fighting for their country.
Thousands of veterans, military families and the public packed Whitehall for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony and watched as the King placed his floral tribute at the base of the memorial on Whitehall.
In recent years, Charles had performed the role on behalf of the Queen as the Prince of Wales, but as the first chimes of Big Ben rang out at 11am on Sunday and a two-minute silence began, he stood before the Cenotaph in his role as head of state.
The King looked tearful as he saluted during the two minutes of silence (Picture: BBC)
The King was among the Royal members who took part in the Remembrance march (Picture: James Whatling)
It is the first Remembrance Service since the Queen died six weeks ago (Picture: AP)
King Charles lead the service in London (Picture: Sky News)
King Charles looked emotional as he lead the Remembrance Service (Picture: Sky News)
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A volley from a gun fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from nearby Horse Guards Parade rang out to signal the start of the moment of silent reflection, punctuated by the sound of London traffic, and another loud blast marked its end.
Charles laid his wreath after buglers from the Royal Marines played the Last Post.
The wreath was soon joined by others left by the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Wessex, and the Princess Royal, with the Queen Consort’s assistant equerry, Captain Edward Andersen, laying her tribute.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to the fallen on behalf of the Government by leaving a wreath, followed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, other party leaders, senior members of the Cabinet, military chiefs of staff and high commissioners.
Watching from the balcony of a Government building were Camilla and the Princess of Wales, and nearby on another balcony were the Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The Remembrance Sunday ceremony has added poignancy this year as it is the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, with former veterans marching past the Cenotaph.
Retired Brigadier Jon Mullin, who served as a Lieutenant in the 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers during the conflict, is marching with South Atlantic Medal Association 82.
Reflecting on the sacrifices made to liberate the Falklands, he said: ‘I wanted to be part of a national commemoration to commemorate all those people who did this wonderful feat of arms and put it all together, and many have passed on in the intervening years.’
The King looked like he held back tears as he laid his wreath (Picture: REUTERS)
The King was the first member of the Royal family to lay a wreath at the service (Picture: Sky News)
The Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales stood side by side and watched over the service (Picture: James Whatling)
The Princess of Wales looked on solemnly as the service began (Picture: Max Mumby)
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King Charles was among the members of the royal family, senior politicians and faith representatives who laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in London.
Charles laid a new poppy wreath incorporating a ribbon of his racing colours, with the design a tribute to the ones used by both his late mother and his grandfather George VI.
The wreath’s poppies are mounted on an arrangement of black leaves, as is traditional, and its ribbon bears the King’s colors of scarlet, purple and gold.
Camilla viewed the service from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. A wreath was laid on her behalf for the first time.
The King and Queen Consort’s wreaths were accompanied by handwritten cards bearing their new cyphers.
It was an emotional moment for the King as he looked to hold back tears as he saluted at the Cenotaph.
The Queen, who died nine weeks ago at the age of 96, considered Remembrance Sunday, which commemorates the war dead, one of the most significant and important engagements in the royal calendar.
The nation’s longest-reigning monarch, who lived through the Second World War as a teenager and was head of the armed forces, only missed seven Cenotaph services during her reign, including in 2021 due to a back sprain.
In 2017, Charles began placing a wreath on his mother’s behalf as she watched from the Foreign Office balcony.
The change was seen as a subtle shift of head-of-state duties.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: ‘This year more than ever, we are reminded of the huge debt of gratitude we owe those who lay down their lives to protect their country.
‘As we fall silent together on Remembrance Sunday, we will honour the memories of the men and women we have lost and pay tribute to the brave soldiers of Ukraine as they continue their fight for freedom.’
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: ‘Remembrance Sunday is a time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our veterans and service personnel on operations around the world.
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath at the same time in Edinburgh (Picture: PA)
Charles was among millions of people paying tribute on Remembrance Sunday (Picture: Reuters)
Veterans paid their respects as part of the parade at Horse Guards Parade (Picture: PA)
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‘We must never forget those who gave their lives in defence of our values and our great nation.
‘All of us will also be thinking of those brave Ukrainians who are fighting for their very own survival to defend freedom and democracy for all, just as the UK and Commonwealth soldiers did in both world wars.
‘Today, members of the UK Armed Forces at Cenotaph and around the world will come together to honour all those who came before them.’
Around 10,000 Royal British Legion veterans, representing 300 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations, will take part in a march past.
They will be joined by an estimated 10,000 members of the public who will line Whitehall to watch the service.
Among those marching will be 100-year-old Second World War veterans and those who served in recent conflicts including in Afghanistan.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, 400 members of the South Atlantic Medal Association will march past the Cenotaph.
They will also be joined by bereaved family members with the youngest marcher aged eight.
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The King looked sombre as he laid his wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
