Prince Charles leads UK armistice service

Millions in the UK have remembered those killed and wounded in conflict as Britain marks 100 years since Armistice Day.

Prince Charles has led the royal family's tributes to Britain's war dead on the centenary of the World War I armistice.

The event marks 100 years since the signing of the treaty which ended the battle on the Western Front of WWI at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London on behalf of the Queen for the second year in a row, while an equerry laid a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen viewed the service from the balcony of the nearby Foreign and Commonwealth Office, although Prince Philip was absent - one of the few times he has missed the occasion.

He was previously unable to attend in 1956, 1964, 1968 and 1999, a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said.

The Queen was flanked by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge - while the Duchess of Sussex, the Countess of Wessex and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence stood on neighbouring balconies.

President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, also laid a wreath on behalf of the German people.

It is the first time since the Cenotaph was inaugurated in 1920 that a representative of the country has taken part in the UK's national service of remembrance.

President Steinmeier's presence was a symbol of the friendship that exists between the two countries today, a representative of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said.

The Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent all laid tributes to Britain's veterans.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also laid wreaths at the foot of the Whitehall memorial, along with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.

The traditional two minutes' silence was held at 11 o'clock and was marked by the chiming of Big Ben - despite the ongoing renovations to the clock tower.

The end of the silence was marked by cannon fire and The Last Post sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines before the wreaths were laid.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: "On the centenary of the Armistice, we will come together as a nation to stand in silence and honour the fallen of all conflicts.

"Over the past four years, we have told the story of the First World War and the unique generation who served so bravely and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

"Today, we will also give thanks for all those that returned and the peace they fought so hard for."


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Published 11 November 2018 11:02pm
Source: AAP


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