King Charles was overcome with emotion when he led the royal family during a moving Remembrance Sunday service. The tearful monarch was joined by senior family members, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Queen Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, for the annual event, held in Whitehall, central London, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and fought for their country. The Prime Minister, senior politicians and faith representatives also marked the Armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces with a two-minute silence and sombre wreath-laying ceremony.
Members of the public lined Whitehall to watch the service, with many sporting poppy pins, bags and scarves. There were rapturous cheers and applause as veterans and military personnel lined up to take their places ahead of the March Past. Around 10,000 participants, representing 341 different Armed Forces and civilian associations, took part, including 20 Second World War veterans, six of whom are 101 years old, with Arthur Osborne the oldest. The youngest person to March was Evie Roots, eight, from Scotty’s Little Soldiers, whose father, WO2 Adam Roota, served with the Army Air Corps and sadly died in a parachuting accident in 2018.
Charles, 76, was the first to place a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London after a national two-minute silence, followed by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh. Equerries laid wreaths on behalf of the Queen and the Duke of Kent, who watched the service from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as one for the Princess Royal, who is currently on an official visit to Australia.
The King, wearing the Field Marshal No.1 Ceremonial Frock Coat with Greatcoat, Poppy and sword, appeared deep in thought as he placed his wreath at the foot of the cenotaph. Fresh from his week in Brazil to attend the Earthshot Prize Awards in Rio de Janeiro, Prince William looked smart in his Royal Air Force uniform in the rank of Wing Commander, while Prince Edward donned the Royal Wessex Yeomanry uniform. The Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were all dressed respectfully in black with poppies on display.
© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesThe crowd fell poignantly silent as each of the royals' wreaths were placed at the foot of the Cenotaph, with only the gentle rustling of leaves heard in the background. Music was played by The Massed Bands of the Guards Division and the Pipes and Drums throughout the ceremony, while The King’s Scouts formed a guard of honour outside the FCDO building.
Kenneth Embleton, 101, a Royal Signals veteran who served with the 14th Army in Burma, told HELLO!: "It's quite humbling to me because it's the first time I've been here and I'm 101. I thought as I've got a few moments left, it was time to come and pay my respects. I've come all the way from Somerset to be here and I've thoroughly enjoyed it, it makes your eyes feel a bit wet. I feel quite humbled about it all, but the real heroes are left behind with the wooden crosses over in Burma, where I was. I wonder what they'd think about it all. It's the first time I've seen the royal family. I went to the Festival of Remembrance yesterday, and it was all very moving. I'm glad I've managed to get here."
This event follows earlier commemorations held this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, specifically Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day). The commemorations paid tribute to the millions across the UK and Commonwealth who served in Europe and the Far East, highlighting the experiences of those who fought, the children who were evacuated, and the essential roles filled by those on the Home Front.
HELLO!'s Online Royal Correspondent, Danielle Stacey, is reporting live on the ground, bringing up all the latest updates. See all the best photos from the service, live as it happens…
© Getty ImagesKing Charles leads tributes
The King, wearing the Field Marshal No.1 Ceremonial Frock Coat with Greatcoat, Poppy and sword, appeared to be holding back tears during the service. He was applauded by the crowd following a rousing rendition of God Save the King.
© GettyPrince William pays his respects
The Prince of Wales reflected with closed eyes during the two-minute silence at the 2025 National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph. He donned his Royal Air Force uniform in the rank of Wing Commander with Greatcoat, Poppy and sword.
Having completed seven and a half years of full-time operational military service, promoting the role and the welfare of those who are serving, or who have served, their country in the Armed Forces is a key focus for The Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness left operational service in 2013.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageQueen Camilla and the Princess of Wales
Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales watched from the balcony while the wreath-laying ceremony took place. Both clad in sombre, all-black ensembles, the royal ladies paid their respects with poppy brooches.
Camilla wore three poppies, but Princess Kate broke with tradition by donning a single flower. One theory is that the royals wear multiple brooches in honour of family members who have fought and died in wars.
© GettyThe Duchess of Edinburgh joined by the Duke of Kent
The royals took their places on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office balconies overlooking the Cenotaph.
The Duke of Kent and the Duchess of Edinburgh were on the left balcony (pictured), Kate and Camilla were on the centre section and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were on the right.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageThe Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester supported King Charles at the 2025 National Service of Remembrance. The pair bowed their heads as they observed the national two-minute silence.
© Getty ImagesPrime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch
Ahead of the event, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "This Remembrance Sunday, we pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country. We reflect on the extraordinary courage of our armed forces in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts, whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today. Eighty years since the end of the Second World War, we remember a generation who stood against tyranny and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace, and our duty is to protect it. Such sacrifice deserves more than silence, which is why this government remains committed to supporting veterans, their families, and those who serve. Today, we remember, and we renew our promise to uphold the values they fought for."
© Getty ImagesKing Charles lays a wreath
The monarch's wreath closely resembled one produced for HM King George VI. It featured 41 open-style poppy petals crafted from bonded fabric (a hard-wearing paper).
As is traditional, the wreath was 27 inches in diameter and was mounted on an arrangement of black leaves. The ribbon and bow incorporated the colours from The King's racing silk: scarlet, purple, and gold.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageElegant appearance
Princess Kate, 43, was wearing a structured black coat dress with boxy shoulders, a high neckline, and a fitted bodice. Added to the tasteful outerwear was a brand new detail – a lace ruffled scarf which added to the formality of her overall look
© Getty ImagesVeterans gather at Whitehall
A highlight of the service is the Royal British Legion’s March Past, which will see around 10,000 veterans participating. Over 300 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations are represented, from bereaved children and military cadets to some of the last surviving veterans of the Second World War.
One veteran told the BBC they felt "humbled and lucky to be here", admitting it was an emotional day.
© Getty ImagesPaying their respects
Members of the military marching bands perform at the beginning of the 2025 National Service Of Remembrance at The Cenotaph. HELLO!'s Online Royal Correspondent, Danielle Stacey, watched the musical performances live, describing it as a "beautiful and fitting tribute" to fallen servicemen.
Big weekend for the royal family
It comes after Prince George, 12, joined his mother, Princess Kate, for the first time at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening – six months after meeting veterans at Buckingham Palace during commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. George, who took his duties very seriously, looked on solemnly as he watched performances from Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder and Keala Settle as well as music performed by the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires and the Band of HM Royal Marines. Absent from the Festival of Remembrance was Prince William, who was flying back from Belem, Brazil, which has limited flight options. HELLO! understands that the route was chosen for the Prince of Wales to ensure that he was in the country in time for the Remembrance Service.
