King Charles chokes back the tears as he leads the nation on Remembrance Sunday

12 November 2023 , 11:39

685     0

A teary-eyed King Charles at the Cenotaph this morning (Image: PA)

King Charles appeared emotional and teary-eyed as he laid his wreath at the Cenotaph as he led the nation in remembering the war dead.

Today marks the second time Charles has led the nation on Remembrance Sunday since he became monarch last year with a poignant two minutes' silence before laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, Central London. The monument is a physical reminder of all the servicemen who have served and sacrificed, including members of the emergency services and civilians who may have lost their lives in the line of duty fighting terror on the domestic front.

King Charles lays his wreath at the Cenotaph (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

As the first chimes of Big Ben rang out at 11am on Sunday and a two-minute silence began, Charles stood before the Cenotaph in his role as head of state. A volley from a gun fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from nearby Horse Guards Parade rang out to signal the start of the moment of silent reflection and another loud blast marked its end.

Wearing the uniform of The Marshal of the Royal Air Force with greatcoat, poppy and sword, Charles laid a wreath similar to the one produced for King George VI. The wreath features 41 open style poppy petals made from bonded fabric, hard-wearing paper.

Charles leads the royals out on to Whitehall (PA)

It is mounted on an arrangement of black leaves - traditional for sovereign's wreaths - of 27-inch diameter ribbon and bow using the colours from The King's racing silk - scarlet, purple and gold, Buckingham Palace said. It bore the message: "In everlasting Remembrance."

Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'

A wreath was also laid on Queen Camilla's behalf by her equerry. She and the Princess of Wales stood on a balcony of the Foreign Office to watch the service.

Other royals that laid wreaths at the base of the monument were Prince William. His wreath featured the white Prince of Wales feathers and bears a ribbon in "Welsh red". Prince Edward and Princess Anne also laid wreaths, while Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester watched from the Foreign Office.

Kate alongside Camilla at the Cenotaph this morning (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also paid tribute to the fallen on behalf of the Government by leaving a wreath, followed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, other party leaders, senior members of the Cabinet, military chiefs of staff and high commissioners. Seven former prime ministers – Sir John Major, Sir Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss - were also present. In addition, 10,000 veterans and 800 members of the forces from the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force held a march past the Cenotaph.

The late Queen, who died last year, considered Remembrance Sunday, which commemorates the war dead, one of the most significant and important engagements in the royal calendar. The nation’s longest reigning monarch, who lived through the Second World War as a teenager and was head of the armed forces, only missed seven Cenotaph services during her reign.

Jennifer Newton