WE WILL REMEMBER
King Charles leads sombre Remembrance Sunday service for first time as monarch alongside Prince William & Kate Middleton
SOMBRE King Charles today led the nation in falling silent at a Remembrance Sunday service for the first time as monarch.
The Royal lay a poppy wreath of the same design as those laid by his late mother and grandfather George VI in a touching tribute.
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A wreath was also laid on Queen Consort Camilla's behalf for the first time following Her Majesty's death nine weeks ago.
King Charles wore the great coat of a No.1 Field Marshal as he honoured Britain's war heroes.
Prince William and Princess Anne also joined him in paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for their country.
Camilla watched the moving service at the Cenotaph from a balcony with Kate Middleton.
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The pair both appeared emotional, with the Queen Consort appearing to wipe away a tear at one stage.
Stoic Kate also cut a sombre figure while wearing pearl drop earrings that belonged to Princess Diana.
Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward, Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra also attended.
The day will be especially poignant for the Royal Family as the Queen considered Remembrance Sunday one of the most important engagements in the royal calendar.
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Her Majesty was forced to pull out of the emotional event last year due to a "sprained back".
She was said to be "deeply disappointed" to not make the service - only the seventh she had missed in her 70-year reign.
Since 2017, King Charles has laid the wreath on behalf of his mother in what was seen as a subtle shift of the Queen's duties.
Rishi Sunak joined Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in laying a wreath today.
A gun salute fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery signalled a two minute's silence to remember our fallen heroes.
Big Ben also struck 11 times at 11am for the first time in five years after undergoing refurbishment work.
As King Charles laid the wreath, buglers from the Royal Marines played the Last Post.
Hundreds of troops stood silent at the Cenotaph after almost 10,000 veterans marched past the war memorial.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, 400 members of the South Atlantic Medal Association are also joining the procession.
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Ahead of the event, the PM 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 added: "Remembrance Sunday is a time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our veterans and service personnel on operations around the world.
"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."
Today's service comes after the King and Queen Consort led senior royals in paying their respects last night at the annual Festival of Remembrance.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attended the event.
A touching tribute was given to the Queen, who was a Royal British Legion patron and the longest serving Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces.
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