Queen leads remembrance tributes

The Queen joined veterans and their families at the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday

The Queen will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in London later as part of Remembrance Sunday events around the UK to honour the country’s war dead.

Other royals, politicians including the prime minister, religious leaders and military chiefs will also attend.

More than 7,000 ex-servicemen and women will march past the Cenotaph, followed by civilians including war widows.

Lt Gen Sir John Kiszely, of the Royal British Legion, said the commemorations this year were “as important as ever”.

“Remembrance Sunday is a time for the nation to unite in its reverence for the British armed forces past and present,” he said.

“When we bow our heads in reflection, we remember those who fought for our freedom during the two World Wars, but we also mourn and honour those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts.

“Today, with troops on duty in Afghanistan and other trouble spots around the world, remembrance, and the two-minute silence, are as important as ever.”

The two-minute silence will be observed from 11:00 GMT, recalling the end of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Ceremonies will be held at the same time across the UK, including in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff.