Queen, politicians out in force as Britain remembers its war dead

The ceremony takes place every year on the nearest Sunday to the anniversary of the end of the first world war at 11am on November 11, 1918

Thousands gathered in the streets around the Cenotaph in London to honour those killed in that war and subsequent conflicts

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British political leaders watch as Prince Charles prepares to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. Photo: AP

Published: 9:21pm, 10 Nov 2019Updated: 9:21pm, 10 Nov 2019

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth joined the country in remembering its war dead, as the country’s political leaders paused campaigning for the December 12 election to take part in a sombre Remembrance Sunday service in London.

The queen, dressed in black, watched from a balcony as her son and heir Prince Charles laid a wreath of scarlet poppies on the Cenotaph war memorial near parliament.

Queen Elizabeth and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Sunday memorial service. Photo: DPA

The 93-year-old monarch, who served as an army mechanic during the second world war, performed the wreath-laying for most of her 67-year reign, but has cut back on her public duties. An aide laid a wreath on behalf of the queen’s 98-year-old husband Prince Philip, who has retired from public engagements.

The ceremony takes place every year on the nearest Sunday to the anniversary of the end of the first world war at 11am on November 11, 1918.

Veterans known as Chelsea Pensioners take part in the service. Photo: DPA

Thousands of military personnel, veterans and members of the public gathered in the streets around the Cenotaph to honour those killed in that war and subsequent conflicts.