King Charles is set to lead the royal family during a moving Remembrance Sunday service. The monarch is expected to be joined by senior family members for the annual event, held in Whitehall, central London, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and fought for their country during the two World Wars and other conflicts with a two-minute silence and sombre wreath-laying ceremony. The Prime Minister, senior politicians and faith representatives will also be marking the Armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces.
Members of the public lined Whitehall to watch the service, with many sporting poppy pins, bags and scarves. There were rapturous cheers and applause as veterans and military personnel lined up to take their places ahead of the March Past. Around 10,000 participants, representing 341 different Armed Forces and civilian associations, took part, including 20 Second World War veterans, six of whom are 101 years old, with Arthur Osborne the oldest. The youngest person to March was Evie Roots, eight, from Scotty’s Little Soldiers, whose father, WO2 Adam Roota, served with the Army Air Corps and sadly died in a parachuting accident in 2018.
This event follows earlier commemorations held this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, specifically Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day). The commemorations paid tribute to the millions across the UK and Commonwealth who served in Europe and the Far East, highlighting the experiences of those who fought, the children who were evacuated, and the essential roles filled by those on the Home Front.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This Remembrance Sunday, we pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country. We reflect on the extraordinary courage of our armed forces in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts, whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today. Eighty years since the end of the Second World War, we remember a generation who stood against tyranny and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace, and our duty is to protect it. Such sacrifice deserves more than silence, which is why this government remains committed to supporting veterans, their families, and those who serve. Today, we remember, and we renew our promise to uphold the values they fought for.”
HELLO!’s Online Royal Correspondent, Danielle Stacey, is reporting live on the ground, bringing up all the latest updates. See all the best photos from the service, live as it happens…
© Getty ImagesVeterans gather at Whitehall
A highlight of the service is the Royal British Legion’s March Past, which will see around 10,000 veterans participating. Over 300 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations are represented, from bereaved children and military cadets to some of the last surviving veterans of the Second World War.
One veteran told the BBC they felt “humbled and lucky to be here”, admitting it was an emotional day.
© Getty ImagesPaying their respects
Members of the military marching bands perform at the beginning of the 2025 National Service Of Remembrance at The Cenotaph. HELLO!‘s Online Royal Correspondent, Danielle Stacey, watched the musical performances live, describing it as a “beautiful and fitting tribute” to fallen servicemen.
Big weekend for the royal family
It comes after Prince George, 12, joined his mother, Princess Kate, for the first time at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening – six months after meeting veterans at Buckingham Palace during commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. George, who took his duties very seriously, looked on solemnly as he watched performances from Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder and Keala Settle as well as music performed by the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires and the Band of HM Royal Marines.
© Alamy Live News.Absent from the Festival of Remembrance was Prince William, who was flying back from Belem, Brazil, which has limited flight options. HELLO! understands that the route was chosen for the Prince of Wales to ensure that he was in the country in time for the Remembrance Service.
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