PRINCE William and Princess Kate have left for today’s poignant Remembrance Day service – the first led by King Charles as monarch.
The Prince and Princess of Wales looked sombre as they were driven to the Cenotaph in London.
Prince William and Princess Kate are on their way to today’s Remembrance service
Sombre Kate wore all black and three poppies
Rishi Sunak is also attending the Remembrance Sunday event
King Charles will lead the nation in falling silent at 11am for the first time as monarch.
The Royal will lay a poppy wreath of the same design as those laid by his late mother and grandfather George VI in a touching tribute.
A wreath will also be laid on Queen Consort Camilla’s behalf for the first time following Her Majesty’s death nine weeks ago.
Camilla will then watch the moving service at the Cenotaph from a balcony with Kate Middleton.
Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward, Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra are also attending.
King Charles will be flanked by Prince William and Princess Anne as he honours Britain’s war heroes.
The day will be especially poignant for the Royal Family as the Queen considered Remembrance Sunday one of the most important engagements in the royal calendar.
Her Majesty was forced to pull out of the emotional event last year due to a “sprained back”.
She was said to be “deeply disappointed” to not make the service – only the seventh she had missed in her 70-year reign.
Since 2017, King Charles has laid the wreath on behalf of his mother in what was seen as a subtle shift of the Queen’s duties.
Rishi Sunak will join former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Theresa May and David Cameron in laying a wreath today.
He was pictured leaving Downing Street wife Akshata Murty this morning.
A two minute’s silence is being held to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for their country.
Big Ben will also strike 11 times at 11am for the first time in five years after undergoing refurbishment work.
Hundreds of troops are descending on the Cenotaph with almost 10,000 veterans planning to march past the war memorial.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, 400 members of the South Atlantic Medal Association are also joining the procession.
Ahead of the event, the PM said: “This year more than ever, we are reminded of the huge debt of gratitude we owe those who lay down their lives to protect their country.
“As we fall silent together on Remembrance Sunday, we will honour the memories of the men and women we have lost and pay tribute to the brave soldiers of Ukraine as they continue their fight for freedom.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace added: “Remembrance Sunday is a time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our veterans and service personnel on operations around the world.
“We must never forget those who gave their lives in defence of our values and our great nation.
“All of us will also be thinking of those brave Ukrainians who are fighting for their very own survival to defend freedom and democracy for all, just as the UK and Commonwealth soldiers did in both world wars.
“Today, members of the UK Armed Forces at Cenotaph and around the world will come together to honour all those who came before them.”
Today’s service comes after the King and Queen Consort led senior royals in paying their respects last night at the annual Festival of Remembrance.
FEELING FRUITY
I made a 3-ingredient banana bread in a slow cooker - it was easy & so tasty
The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attended the event.
A touching tribute was given to the Queen, who was a Royal British Legion patron and the longest serving Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces.
Almost 10,000 veterans planning to march past the Cenotaph
The nation will fall silent at 11am
Rishi Sunak and his wife are attending today’s service
Boris Johnson makes his way to the service through Westminster
Liz Truss and husband Hugh O’Leary are also attending
Ben Wallace earlier paid tribute to servicemen
Theresa May will join other ex-Prime Ministers in paying tribute
She will be joined by Tony Blair, pictured with wife Cherie
