Second world war veterans were applauded as they arrived at Sunday’s service of remembrance in Whitehall, before joining royals and senior politicians to pay tribute to those who died in the conflict.
King Charles laid the first wreath in recognition of those killed in wars and conflicts dating back to the first World War. He was succeeded by his son, the Prince of Wales.
The king wore a field uniform – the highest rank in the Army – and saluted before withdrawing from the monument after a minute of silence.
The Prince of Wales, wearing the uniform of the Royal Air Force in the rank of Kingdom Commander, led after laying his wreath at the Cenotaph.
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, also laid a floral tribute, alongside senior politicians including Kemi Badenoch, Ed Davey, Yvette Cooper and Lindsay Hoyer, and representatives from the Commonwealth.
Starmer said: “This Remembrance Sunday, we stand as a nation to honor all those who have served in our armed forces in the world’s armed forces and subsequent conflicts, whose service earned us the freedoms we love today.”
Reflecting on the 80th anniversary of the Second World War, Starmer spoke of “a generation that stood up against oppression and shaped our future”.
He added: “Such sacrifice deserves more than silence, which is why this government remains committed to supporting veterans, their families and those who serve.
The princess of Wales and Queen Camilla, both dressed in black, and other members of the family watched the memorial service on Sunday from a balcony at the Cenoteaph. The pair were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Standing near the Cenotaph are eight former prime ministers: John Carters, Tony Blair, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Truston and Rishi Sunak.
Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, marked the occasion in Edinburgh, placing a wreath on the stone of remembrance outside the town’s chambers.
As well as politicians and political leaders, 10,000 members of the Armed Forces joined the annual War of Britain veterans’ commemoration marking 80 years since the conflict ended in 1945.
About a dozen people dressed in military uniform and poppies were pushed in wheelchairs along Whitehall as the applause went to the Cenotaph and a veteran saluted.
Among the Marchers was 101-year-old Donald Poolal, an Army Ordnance Corps technician who served in India in 1945 when he went to an irregular celebration in Japan.
Poole, who is from Bromley, Greater London, said: “It’s a great honor to be able to pay back those poor souls, and how faithful I am that I have committed and served, in the past.
“I also want to pay tribute to the civilian services that suffered in the second world war, especially the fire service, which saved many lives during the Blitz – many of whom lost their own.”
Henry Rice, a former signalman who arrived at Juno Beach five days after D-Day Cothny, who arrived at the start of the D-Day attack, three also attended on Sunday.
Sid Macin, one of the six 101-year-olds registered until March, was one of the last remaining Cindit Special Forces in the Second World War Burma (now Myanmar) campaign.
When he was only 19, Macin found himself behind enemy lines in a glider at night, as part of a unit harassing Japanese supply lines.
As well as the cenotaph wreath-laying ceremony, commemorations are held at war memorials in villages, towns and cities across the UK.