Queen leads tributes to war dead

Nov 11 2012

Remembrance Sunday events will be held across the country in tribute to members of Britain and the Commonwealth's Armed Forces who have died during conflicts.

The Queen will attend a service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, where she will lay a wreath in memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

She will be joined by a host of senior royals, Prime Minister David Cameron and leaders of opposition parties for the service, a focal point of the nation's Remembrance Sunday ceremonies.

The first stroke of Big Ben at 11am and the firing of a gun from Horse Guards Parade by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery will mark the start of two minutes' silence, which will be followed by The Last Post, sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines.

The Queen will then lay the first wreath, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Prince Michael of Kent and Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are unable to attend as they are in New Zealand on a Jubilee tour.

Also paying their respects will be Mr Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, opposition leader Ed Miliband and Westminster Plaid Cymru group leader Elfyn Llywd, as well as high commissioners from Commonwealth countries and leaders of the Armed Forces.

Thousands of veterans will also march through Whitehall to pay their respects at the Cenotaph.

Last night Rod Stewart performed for the Queen at the Festival of Remembrance in honour of Britain's war dead.

The Queen was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh for the televised event at the Royal Albert Hall, which was watched by thousands - including the Prime Minister and his wife Samantha, and Labour leader Ed Miliband and his wife Justine.