Remembrance Events Led by the Royal Family
Every year, the Royal Family leads the nation in honoring those who have served in the Armed Forces. These events hold great significance, uniting communities across the United Kingdom to remember servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives in conflicts.
National Service of Remembrance
The most notable event is the National Service of Remembrance, held annually on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. The monarch, accompanied by senior Royals, government ministers, military leaders, and veterans, gathers to pay tribute to the fallen.
Remembrance Sunday Ceremony
On the second Sunday of November, the King leads the nation in commemorating those who died in world wars and other conflicts. At 11 a.m., the nation observes two minutes of silence, starting with the tolling bells of Big Ben and a gunshot at Horse Guards Parade.
“As the bells of Big Ben toll eleven, and a single gun on Horse Guards Parade is fired, two minutes of complete silence is held in remembrance of all lost in war.”
Members of the Royal Family stand alongside political leaders, serving and former Armed Forces members, and World War veterans at the Cenotaph. The silence concludes with another round of gunfire followed by the bugle call, "The Last Post."
Reflection and Unity
This ceremony serves as the nation's focal moment of tribute, connecting thousands of similar observances across the UK and worldwide.