ALLIES IN SORROW
Sir Keir Starmer stands with President Macron as he is first British PM to mark Armistice Day in France since Churchill
Starmer and Macron laid a wreath before relighting the flame of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
SIR Keir Starmer yesterday became the first British Prime Minister to mark Armistice Day in France since Winston Churchill.
He stood shoulder to shoulder with President Emmanuel Macron during a service to remember the nation’s fallen.
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It marks 80 years since wartime leader Churchill saluted next to France’s President Charles de Gaulle in a solemn commemoration.
Sir Keir paid his respects in Paris to mark the end of the First World War and those lost during battle.
Together with Mr Macron, they laid a wreath before relighting the flame of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.
The French Army Choir sang God Save the King and the French national anthem La Marseillaise during the 106th anniversary of the event.
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Sir Keir said: “I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President Macron in tribute to the fallen.”
Meanwhile, Britain came to a halt at 11am for two minutes of silence.
Everywhere — from train stations including Waterloo, to offices, schools and fire stations, such as Sheffield — people paused to mark the time and date when the World War One armistice started.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, led a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffs.
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Events took place across the UK including in Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham, Liverpool and Dover.
And at Glasgow Central Station, a piper led a procession of veterans through the concourse.
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In Wales, Carmarthenshire county council said it would illuminate county hall last night.
During the PM’s visit to Paris, he and Mr Macron discussed putting Ukraine in the “strongest possible position going into winter”.
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