We will remember them: Charles leaves tributes on Armistice Day as Big Ben rings out for the first time in five years

11 November 2022, 11:02 | Updated: 11 November 2022, 12:53

Remembrance Day services were held across the UK
Remembrance Day services were held across the UK. Picture: Twitter/Alamy/Getty

By Daisy Stephens

People across the UK have fallen silent to mark Armistice Day on Friday, marking the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Poignant services were held across the country and a two-minute silence was observed at 11am to remember those who have died in military conflicts.

King Charles and the Queen Consort shared a moving photo of them viewing war graves, captioned: "When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today".

Big Ben sounded 11 times, after years of restoration work, to mark the event.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the National Memorial Arboretum Armistice Day Service in Staffordshire and services were also held in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Portsmouth.

In Edinburgh, the city's depute lord provost, councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, joined veterans, serving personnel and the public to pay tribute at the city's Garden of Remembrance.

Read more: Unions plan co-ordinated strikes in the run up to Christmas to inflict maximum chaos

Read more: Sajid Javid and Jeremy Vine clash over controversial video showing car passing ‘too close’ to a five-year-old boy

Keir Starmer attends a two-minute silence outside Euston Station
Keir Starmer attends a two-minute silence outside Euston Station. Picture: Alamy
A service at the Armed Forces Memorial in the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire
A service at the Armed Forces Memorial in the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. Picture: Alamy

The short open-air service led by Legion Scotland National Padre Rev Dr Karen Campbell was followed by the laying of wreaths before the One O'Clock Gun fires at 11am from Edinburgh Castle.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly attended a remembrance service hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

And Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer marked the moment at Euston Station, in central London.

City workers at a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London
City workers at a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London. Picture: Alamy
Poppies in the grounds of Westminster Abbey
Poppies in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. Picture: Alamy
A service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall
A service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall. Picture: Getty

Ahead of the service, Mr Cleverly said peace in Europe had been "shattered" by Vladimir Putin.

"Since 1918 we have marked Armistice Day and paid tribute to the brave men and women who have served to give us peace," he said.

"Yet as we salute our troops this year, this peace has been shattered by a Russian aggressor.

"As we honour the war dead of the past, we also remember Ukraine's fight for freedom today.

"The UK stands steadfast with our friends and allies in defence of freedom and democracy in Ukraine and I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with an historic ally in Paris today."

Read more: Chancellor warns of 'tough road ahead' as economy shrinks and Britain slides towards recession

Read more: Just Stop Oil pause M25 protests and urge Govt to 'mark Remembrance Day by stopping new oil and gas production'

Mr Cleverly will also meet with French foreign minister Catherine Colonna whilst in Paris.

They are expected to discuss the two countries' support for Ukraine, joint work to improve energy security and illegal migration, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said.

They will also discuss preparations for next year's UK-France summit, it added.

The Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiegne to end the First World War in 1918.

Air and Army Cadets at the Cenotaph on Friday
Air and Army Cadets at the Cenotaph on Friday. Picture: Getty
Royal Navy sailors march as they rehearse at HMS Excellent, Portsmouth, for the Remembrance Day commemorations in London
Royal Navy sailors march as they rehearse at HMS Excellent, Portsmouth, for the Remembrance Day commemorations in London. Picture: Alamy
Armistice Day is also being commemorated in Australia
Armistice Day is also being commemorated in Australia. Picture: Alamy

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Renée Zellweger

Mad about the Box Office: Latest Bridget Jones installment smashes rom com record

Exclusive
David Gauke wants to reduce the size of the female prison estate to make room for more male inmates. File image shows Pentonville prison

Send fewer women to jail to make room for male inmates, says former Justice Secretary

x

Starmer will ensure UK is 'leading country' in European countries stepping up support for Ukraine

Gunner Beck

Women in Army subjected to 'disgusting' comments from male colleagues amid misogynistic culture, inquest hears

The aircraft can be seen upside down, with its wheels in the air, and the area thick with snow

Passenger jet 'flips over' during landing in Toronto leaving 15 injured - with three critical

Paula Miluska had started working from home in November 2022 due to her pregnancy illness

Woman awarded £93k payout after boss fires her for morning sickness by sending jazz hands emoji

c

Britain must take a ‘leading responsibility’ for peace in Ukraine, says PM as he calls for US ‘security guarantee’

Andrew Tate is facing allegations of trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering

Trump team 'pressuring Romania to lift restrictions on Andrew Tate'

Skyrora, a rocket company with its headquarters in Edinburgh

Scottish company promises to blast rockets into space from 2026

A petition calling for major driving licence changes has received almost 100,000 signatures

Petition calls for ban on newly-qualified drivers carrying passengers under 25

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by George, Charlotte and Louis - but who drew who?

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner

Julia Wandelt who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann releases bombshell new DNA test results

Pope Francis will need to remain in hospital with a respiratory tract infection

Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'