King Charles has led the nation in honouring Britain’s war dead as he attended the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
The King was joined by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior members of the Royal Family for the annual ceremony, which honours those who lost their lives serving their country.
His Majesty laid the first wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph, continuing a tradition observed by successive Sovereigns at the national act of remembrance.
The King wore the uniform of Marshal of the Royal Air Force, comprising a greatcoat and cap, with a poppy and sword. His wreath featured 41 open-style poppy petals, mounted on an arrangement of black leaves, with a ribbon and bow in scarlet, purple and gold – the colours of his racing silks.
The wreath closely resembled the one produced for his grandfather, King George VI.
Queen Camilla’s wreath was laid by Major Rob Treasure of The Rifles. It featured 95 closed-style poppy petals and was mounted on black leaves, with a ribbon incorporating the colours of Her Majesty’s racing silks: brown, red and yellow. It closely resembled the wreath traditionally produced for the Queen Mother.
The Queen watched the service from the centre balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, alongside the Princess of Wales.
The Prince of Wales also laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, wearing the uniform of Lieutenant Colonel of the Blues and Royals. His wreath was carried by Squadron Leader Mike Reynolds of the Royal Air Force.
Prince William completed seven and a half years of full-time operational military service before leaving operational service in 2013. Supporting serving personnel and veterans remains a key focus of his royal work.
The Princess of Wales watched the ceremony alongside the Queen, wearing her poppy in tribute to those who have served and sacrificed.
The Duke of Edinburgh, wearing the uniform of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, also laid a wreath. His wreath was carried by Captain the Honourable Will Jack of the Scots Guards.
The Duke has served as Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry for more than 20 years and holds a number of other military appointments, including Colonel of the Scots Guards.
The Princess Royal attended in Royal Navy uniform, holding the rank of Admiral. Her wreath was carried by Lieutenant Colonel Catherine Skinner of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
Princess Anne also holds the ranks of General in the Army and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force, alongside numerous military affiliations across the three services.
The Duke of Kent was also represented at the wreath-laying ceremony. His wreath was laid by his equerry, Captain Thomas Baker-Cresswell of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
The Duke, who wore Field Marshal uniform, served in the Armed Forces for 21 years, including more than two decades with the Royal Scots Greys and its successor regiment.
He watched the service from the left balcony of the FCDO, alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester watched from the right balcony.
The annual National Service of Remembrance brings together members of the Royal Family, political leaders, representatives of the Armed Forces, veterans and members of the public to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts past and present.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, veterans and representatives of organisations from across the country took part in the traditional march-past, paying their respects at the Cenotaph.
