Remembrance Sunday 2023: King Charles Leads Solemn Observance at the Cenotaph

Every November 11, armed forces around the world, military veterans and their families, and members of the Royal family pay respect to those who died during World War I through the solemn observance of Remembrance Day. And also to pay tribute to service men. 

World War I began in July 1914 when Austria bombed Serbia (due to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Bosnia, but whose assassins came from Serbia). The political and military tension became a full-blown war, and later WWI, on August 9, 1914, when Germany forcibly entered Belgium, and Britain declared war, siding with the Allies. 

King Charles III leads the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph

The war did not fully stop until November 1918 when an Armistice to end the war was signed in Germany. The war officially ended on the western front on November 11, 1918, at 11:00 in the morning.

Members of the British Royal Family annually observed this commemoration. The highlight is the Cenotaph service and later church service. The red poppy is traditionally worn by members of the Royal Family, veterans, and members of the armed forces as a sign of remembering those who died.

Anne, The Princess Royal laid a wreath. Photo: The Royal Family

William, The Prince of Wales laid a wreath. Photo: The Royal Family

Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh

On November 12, Sunday at 11:00 in the morning, King Charles III stood alongside 10,000 veterans, politicians including former living British Prime Ministers, at the Cenotaph Service in central London. 

Members of the Royal Family also attended as the King led the nation in Remembrance. His Majesty laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in his role as Commander in Chief of the British Armed Forces.

More than 10,000 veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces, and their families gather to lay wreaths and observe the national silence.

Current British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was joined by all living previous prime ministers, for this year’s Remembrance Sunday service. 

Big Ben chimed to signal the start of the two-minute silence at 11am. It was ended by the sound of a cannon blasting from Horse Guards Parade followed by a bugler playing the last post.

This year marks King Charles', second Remembrance Sunday as a reigning monarch. He will turn 75 on November 14.

King Charles III laying a wreath at the Cenotaph

This year's Remembrance Sunday in London was marked with tension as violent scenes around the Cenotaph erupted just hours before. Far-right protesters fought officers in what is believed to be a counter-protest to a pro-Palestine rally.

The Queen and The Princess of Wales. Photo credit: The Royal Family

The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal also laid wreaths at the Cenotaph. The Queen and The Princess of Wales watched the service from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development building on Whitehall. 

Kate wears a black military-inspired coat from Catherine Walker

Catherine wore never-before-seen Pearl Leaf earrings of Queen Elizabeth II, along with three red poppies pinned on the left breast of her military-inspired black coat from Catherine Walker. 

We joined the global community in observing Remembrance Sunday to pay respect to those who died fighting in the front line so that we can live today. Lest we forget.