Remembrance Events
Every year, members of the Royal Family lead the nation in honouring those who served and sacrificed in the Armed Forces. These Royal Remembrance events are deeply meaningful occasions that unite communities across the United Kingdom to pay tribute to servicemen and women who lost their lives in conflicts.
National Service of Remembrance
The most notable event is the National Service of Remembrance, held on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. This solemn ceremony includes the monarch, senior Royal Family members, government ministers, military leaders, and veterans gathering to remember the fallen.
Remembrance Sunday Ceremony
On the second Sunday of November, the King leads the country in recalling those who died in world wars and other conflicts. The ceremony at the Cenotaph, the central point of national respect, is synchronized with thousands of similar gatherings across the UK and worldwide.
- Two minutes of silence are observed at 11 a.m.
- His Majesty and other Royal Family members join political leaders, serving and former Armed Forces members, and World War veterans at the Cenotaph.
- As Big Ben chimes eleven and a gun is fired from Horse Guards Parade, everyone holds a moment of absolute silence in memory of the war dead.
- After this, a further gunshot signals the end of silence, followed by the bugle call "The Last Post."
"On the second Sunday of each November, The King leads the nation in remembering those who have died in world wars and other conflicts."
"As the bells of Big Ben toll eleven, and a single gun on Horse Guards Parade is fired, two minutes of complete silence is held in remembrance of all lost in war."
These events serve as a powerful reminder of the nation's gratitude and respect for fallen servicemen and women.
Summary: The Royal Family annually leads the UK in solemn ceremonies on Remembrance Sunday, uniting the nation in solemn silence to honour those who died in military service.