Remembrance Sunday 2024: King to lead nation in memory of war dead

King Charles will lead the nation in remembrance of those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts at the Cenotaph in central London.

The King will be joined at the National Service of Remembrance by other members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales. Queen Camilla will not be at the ceremony as she recovers from a chest infection.

Events to mark Remembrance Sunday – observed on the closest Sunday to Armistice Day – will take place around the country with two minutes of silence at 11:00 GMT to commemorate those who died in war.

The weekend’s Remembrance events are the first major appearances for Catherine following her recent cancer treatment.

The King will lay the first wreath on behalf of the UK at the Cenotaph. He will be followed by Prince William and Princess Anne, then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the country’s other political leaders.

Services will be held in almost every town and city across the UK – with some of the biggest gatherings expected in Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Plymouth, Liverpool and Manchester.

In Belfast, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill is due to take part in the official ceremony, making her the first senior Sinn Féin figure to do so.

Several Sinn Féin politicians have laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in Belfast in previous years, but they have not attended the main Sunday ceremony.

Remembrance Sunday around the UK

King Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior royals also attended the Festival of Remembrance event at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night.

It was Catherine’s first major formal appearance since finishing chemotherapy.

She is gradually returning to public duties following her cancer treatment earlier this year.

The King, who has also been treated for cancer, received a standing ovation from the audience when he arrived.

The concert and the service at the Cenotaph on Sunday are among the most important events on the royal calendar.

Queen Camilla has withdrawn from both events as she is recovering from a chest infection. It is hoped she will be well enough to return to royal duties within the coming days.

Sunday’s events come the day before Armistice Day, which marks the moment World War One ended, at 11:00 on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918.

Remembrance events are due to take place on Monday across UK and allied nations.

As on Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day will also see two minutes of silence as the clock strikes 11:00 in each country.