King Charles leads Remembrance Sunday service while Kate watches from balcony

King Charles led the nation in remembering those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts at the Cenotaph in central London.

The King laid a wreath at the Cenotaph before overseeing a two-minute silence while joined by veterans of World War II and an assortment of religious and political leaders.

Around 10,000 veterans marched past the Cenotaph to mark Remembrance Sunday, representing 326 different armed forces and civilian organisations for the Royal British Legion.

After laying the wreath, Charles was followed by Prince William and Princess Anne, before political leaders took the spotlight.

King Charles III and Princess Anne during the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph (Picture: Shutterstock)

Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Picture: PA Wire)

Sir Keir Starmer and new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch then laid their wreaths at the memorial, as did Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.

An unprecedented eight former prime ministers were also in attendance as part of the political contingency- Lord David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Baroness Theresa May, Sir Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Sir John Major.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer are among the politicians watching the Remembrance Sunday service from a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Only the heads of parties with six or more seats in Parliament, plus the leaders of the largest party from each of the devolved nations, lay a wreath at the Cenotaph during the service.

Catherine, Princess of Wales stands from the balcony during the National Service of Remembrance (Picture: Getty)

Reform has five MPs and the Greens have four.

The Princess of Wales also appeared on the central balcony. In 2023 Kate stood next to the Queen, but in Camilla’s absence this year due to a chest infection the princess was accompanied by the Duchess of Edinburgh.

A wreath was instead laid on the Queen’s behalf in her absence.

The pair emerged just before 11am to join the nation in commemorating those who have died or suffered in war and conflict.

It is the first time since the start of the year that Kate, who is recovering from cancer, is carrying out two consecutive days of public official engagements.

Military veterans in the parade at the Remembrance Sunday service (Picture: PA Wire)

She previously attended the Royal British Legion Festival Of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.

Among the crowds lining barriers on Whitehall were military veterans proudly wearing their medals, while others waited nearby to take part in the Royal British Legion march past the memorial.

Charles wore military dress, as did the other royals, and after laying his wreath he saluted in his greatcoat worn over his uniform of an Admiral of the fleet, with a sword by his side.

His wreath closely resembled a floral tribute produced for his grandfather King George VI – 41 open-style poppy petals made from bonded fabric mounted on black leaves, traditional for a sovereign’s wreath and featuring a tied ribbon in the colours of the King’s racing silk – scarlet, purple and gold.

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