King Charles set to lead Royal Family members on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 09/11/2025

- 00:01

The monarch will be joined by about 20 World War Two veterans

King Charles is set to lead the nation in a two-minute silence to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.

The King will be joined by other members of the Royal Family and senior politicians at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, laying wreaths to honour those who died in conflict.


Some 10,000 armed forces will take part in the Royal British Legion's march-past.

They will be joined by approximately 20 World War Two veterans, 80 years after the end of the conflict.

King Charles

King Charles will lead the Sunday service

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Sir Keir Starmer said: "This Remembrance Sunday, we pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country.

"We reflect on the extraordinary courage of our armed forces in the world wars and subsequent conflicts, whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today.

"Eighty years since the end of the Second World War, we remember a generation who stood against tyranny and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace, and our duty is to protect it.

"Such sacrifice deserves more than silence, which is why this Government remains committed to supporting veterans, their families and those who serve. Today, we remember, and we renew our promise to uphold the values they fought for."

Princess Kate and Duchess of Edinburgh

Princess Kate and the Duchess of Edinburgh on Remembrance Sunday last year

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Among those set to march is 101-year-old Donald Poole, a Royal Army Ordnance Corps technician who dealt with defective explosions or enemy ammunition.

Mr Poole served in India in 1945 when Japan's surrender was announced.

He said: "It is a great honour to be able to pay tribute to the poor souls who have died in all conflicts, and I know how lucky I am to still be here thanks to all those who have fought and served, past and present.

"I also want to pay tribute to the civilian services who suffered during the Second World War, particularly the fire service, who saved so many lives during the Blitz, many of whom lost their own."

King Charles

The King laying down a wreath last year at the Cenotaph

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Sid Machin, also 101, is one of the last surviving "Chindit" soldiers from World War Two's Burma campaign.

Mr Machin launched behind enemy lines in a glider at night into the jungle at just the age of 19, causing chaos to Japanese supply lines and infrastructure.

The veteran from Dorset said: "I am proud to be marching at the Cenotaph today with the Chindit Society to mark the end of an emotional year remembering my own and my comrades' service in the Far East.

"It was tough, but we just had to get on with it and watch out for each other. I will be thinking of everyone I served with and especially those that didn't make it home."

Cenotaph

The King will be joined by other members of the royal family and senior politicians

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PA

One of just three female World War Two veterans, Eileen Marshall, is expected to march at the Cenotaph this year.

Ms Marshall, from Yorkshire, left home in 1944 aged 17 to join the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS).

She said: "Serving in the WRNS was one of the happiest times of my life, but also one of the saddest, especially when sailors were lost at sea, including my cousin.

"On Remembrance Sunday, I will be marching with the HMS Ganges Association to honour all those who gave their lives, including my husband Ray, who served with the Highland Regiment and passed away in 1994. I will proudly wear his medals as I remember him and all the fallen."

The two-minute silence begins at 11am on Sunday, with the march starting at 11:25am.