English: Pictured some of the personnel representing all three services in their Greatcoats at the National Service of Remembrance held at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

His Royal Highness Prince Charles led the observation of the National Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall today. He laid the first wreath of red poppies at the foot of the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall on behalf of The Queen, 91, who with HRH Prince Philip, watched from a balcony in the Foreign Office. This was followed by other senior members of the Royal Family, the Rt Hon Theresa May MP, Prime Minister, laid a wreath on behalf of the Government followed by other political representatives, commonwealth representatives and Defence Chiefs.

Beginning Britain’s most solemn ceremony, serving sailors, soldiers and airmen formed a hollow square at the heart of Whitehall. Troops were provided by the Royal Navy, the Household Cavalry, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, 3 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, the Adjutant General’s Corps, 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment and the Royal Air Force.

The massed bands of the Household Division included the Band of the Grenadier Guards, Band of the Coldstream Guards, Band of the Scots Guards and the Band of the Irish Guards. They performed a sombre, deeply emotive programme of music, directed by the Senior Director of Music Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Roberts. The Pipes and Drums were provided by Highlanders 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Exactly as Big Ben struck 11 O’Clock, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired their First World War era guns on Horse Guards Parade, marking the start of a two minutes’ Silence, and then fired a second to mark its end. The Buglers of the Royal Marines then sounded the “Last Post”.

After the ceremony a march past the Cenotaph took place involving 8,000 veterans and members of civilian associations. This year HRH The Prince of Wales took the Salute at Horse Guards Parade. Accompanying him was his Equerry, Captain Matthew Wright. Also in attendance, the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP.

• Organization: MOD
• Object Name: ddc-17-315-057
• Supplemental Categories: Ministers, SofS, Politicians, Royalty, Police & MGS, Foreign Civilians, Senior Staff, MoD Civilians, Civilians, Remembrance, Veterans, Tri-Service, Royal Air Force, Army, Royal Marines, Royal Navy, People
• Keywords: Bayonet, Attachment, L85A2, A2, SA80, Assault Rifle, Small Arms, Weapons, Equipment, Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence, MoD, Personnel, Civilian, Police, Royalty, Royal, Family, Occasion, Remembrance Sunday, Poppies, Greatcoat
• Country: UK