World

King Charles Leads Two‑Minute Silence at London Cenotaph

By Sean Coughlan

King Charles III led the nation in a solemn two‑minute silence on Remembrance Sunday, honoring veterans who died in conflict. On a stone‑grey autumn morning, he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on Whitehall before a march‑past of 10,000 armed forces veterans. The march included 12 World War Two veterans, the largest number in recent years, and featured 103‑year‑old Annie Duplock, a former Land Girl, who described the day as "very emotional". Nine former prime ministers lined up to lay wreaths, a record high, and Andy Burnham attended for the first time as the current occupant of No 10 Downing Street. For the first time, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, had enough MPs in Parliament to qualify to lay a wreath, alongside other party leaders.

The Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal were among the royals present, along with military chiefs, senior politicians, diplomats and faith leaders. Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales watched from a balcony above the Cenotaph in the Foreign Office building, where the Ukrainian flag—frayed after four years of war—was displayed. At 11:00 GMT, the first strike of Big Ben echoed from the Houses of Parliament, and the two‑minute silence filled the usually frenetic streets before the playing of the Last Post. The King closed his eyes, and crowds in Whitehall paused for their own reflections.

The parade included representatives from about 340 military and civilian groups, such as the Royal Naval Association, the Royal Marines Association, Transport for London and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute. Flotillas of disability scooters and families assisting veterans in wheelchairs marched alongside the veterans. The oldest participant was 105 years old.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the event was a time to "reflect on the selflessness and courage it takes to commit your life to protecting others" and announced plans to address homelessness among ex‑service personnel, ensuring that any veteran sleeping rough is offered appropriate accommodation before Christmas. Mark Atkinson, director general of the Royal British Legion, said, "As we come together on Remembrance Sunday, we pay tribute to all those who have served and sacrificed, from generations past to those still serving today."

The Cenotaph, built in 1919 as a temporary structure and replaced in 1920 with a permanent stone version, has been the focus of the national Remembrance event for more than a century. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in a simple, austere style, the monument was opened on 11 November 1920 by King George V and was again visited by King Charles III on an overcast morning 106 years later to continue paying respect.