PM’s past and present unite for Cenotaph Remembrance Sunday service: Rishi Sunak is joined by Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Theresa May, Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major
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Britain’s past and present political leaders united to pay tribute at the Cenotaph for today’s Remembrance Day service.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was joined by current political leaders including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, as they each laid a wreath at the memorial service.
Behind them were seven former prime ministers including Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Theresa May, Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major.
They all watched on as King Charles led the country in a two-minute silence and laid the first wreath in front of the Cenotaph to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women.
Mr Sunak earlier paid tribute to the ‘courage and commitment’ of the UK’s servicemen and women as he joined people across the country in ‘honouring their memory today in quiet reflection’.
He added that recent events have served as a ‘stark reminder that we cannot take the hard-earned peace we live in for granted’ and he would ‘ensure’ the nation never forgets the ‘ultimate sacrifice they have made’.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was joined by poltical leaders including Labour leader as they laid a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday service
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn also each laid a wreath at the memorial service
Behind them were seven former prime ministers including Liz Truss , Boris Johnson , David Cameron , Gordon Brown, Theresa May , Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer carry wreaths as they attend the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph
Mr Sunak lays a wreath at the base of the Cenotaph on Whitehall during the service
Mr Sunak looked sombre was the first of the UK’s senior polticians to lay a wreath on behalf of the nation, following on from members of the royal family.
The Prime Minister looked sombre as he placed the wreath at the base of the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall on Sunday.
Labour leader Keir Starmer was next to pay his respects before the Scottish National Party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and the Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
READ MORE: King pays tribute to Britain’s war dead: Charles unites the nation as he leads Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, with royals, senior politicians and dignitaries laying poppy wreaths to honour the fallen – hours after protest violence in London
Former prime ministers Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Theresa May, Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major were also in attendance, as is conventional, to pay tribute to Britain’s war dead.
Before today’s service Mr Sunak said: ‘The courage and commitment shown by our servicemen and women, both today and throughout the generations that came before them, is humbling and I know many across the country will be honouring their memory today in quiet reflection.
‘Recent events have served as a stark reminder that we cannot take the hard-earned peace we live in for granted, which is why I am honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the nation in the memory of all those that have lost their lives defending our country and the values we hold so close.
‘I am determined to ensure we never forget the ultimate sacrifice they have made.’
Mr Starmer also paid tribute to Britain’s fallen soldiers before the service today. He said: ‘Remembrance Sunday is a day to pause and honour all out service men and women who sacrfice so much for our great country.
‘A day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. And a day to remind ourselves in these fraught modern times, that peace is possible.
‘Each year that passes leaves us one step further way from the wars of the last century but we are no less grateful to the men and women whose courage and sacrifice gave us the freedom we enjoy today.
‘Today we come together to honour those who have died in conflict, to thank those still serving and to pay tribute to the allies who fought shoulder to shoulder with us for pur way of life, our values and country.’
The current and former prime ministers attend the Remembrance Sunday service
Home Secretary Suella Braverman (centre) and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (right) hold wreaths during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (left) and Home Secretary Suella Braverman (right) carry wreaths as they attend the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony
Former British Prime Ministers Liz Truss, Boris Johnson and Theresa May attend the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph
Home Secretary Suella Braverman becomes emotional as she attends the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall
Former Prime Ministers Theresa May and David Cameron become emotional as they attend the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph
View of the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph
Charles ealrier led the country at the Whitehall memorial in commemorating the end of the First World War and other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces.
Wearing the uniform of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force with greatcoat, poppy and sword, the King laid a wreath similar to the one produced for King George VI.
The wreath featured 41 open style poppy petals made from bonded fabric.
It was mounted on an arrangement of black leaves – traditional for sovereign’s wreaths – of 27-inch diameter ribbon and bow using the colours from the King’s racing silk – scarlet, purple and gold.
A wreath was laid at the Cenotaph for the Queen by Major Ollie Plunket, The Rifles, equerry to Camilla.
The Queen viewed the Remembrance Day service from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office centre balcony, alongside the Princess of Wales.
Camilla’s wreath closely resembled the wreath produced for the Queen Mother, Buckingham Palace said.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal also laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Almost 10,000 veterans and 800 armed forces personnel from all three services were then due to take part in a march-past.
Among those marching are nuclear test veterans, who for the first time will wear a medal acknowledging their contribution.
After 70 years of waiting for recognition, those exposed to the effects of nuclear bombs during the UK’s testing programme were given a medal, depicting an atom surrounded by olive branches, for the Remembrance Sunday service.
More than 300 armed forces and civilian organisations are represented, as well as 300 veterans not affiliated with an association who have been invited to join for the first time.
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