This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34612421

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Cenotaph Remembrance service to be made shorter Cenotaph Remembrance service to be made shorter
(about 2 hours later)
The Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London will be shorter this year, Buckingham Palace has said.The Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London will be shorter this year, Buckingham Palace has said.
Some politicians and royals will lay wreaths at the same time, rather than individually, to limit standing time for the Queen and elderly veterans.Some politicians and royals will lay wreaths at the same time, rather than individually, to limit standing time for the Queen and elderly veterans.
David Cameron will continue to pay his respects on his own but leaders of the four main opposition parties will not. It was suggested the PM would lay a wreath on his own, but the leaders of the main opposition parties would not.
Downing Street said discussions with Buckingham Palace on the format of the wreath-laying ceremony were ongoing. But "after discussions" the format for political leaders will remain as last year, the government said.
"This can happen while still keeping the service slightly shorter," the Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman added.
The annual remembrance event, which will take place on 8 November led by the Queen, honours those killed in the two World Wars and later conflicts.The annual remembrance event, which will take place on 8 November led by the Queen, honours those killed in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
The changes have been made to shorten the ceremony out of respect for the ageing veterans who take part in the parade and to limit the amount of standing time for the Queen, who is approaching her 90th birthday.The changes have been made to shorten the ceremony out of respect for the ageing veterans who take part in the parade and to limit the amount of standing time for the Queen, who is approaching her 90th birthday.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who is 94, will also attend.The Duke of Edinburgh, who is 94, will also attend.
"A number of veterans wait some time for the parade to move off, and then have a lengthy march to Horseguards Parade," the palace spokesman said."A number of veterans wait some time for the parade to move off, and then have a lengthy march to Horseguards Parade," the palace spokesman said.
"This year, in order to allow the parade to get under way earlier, some members of the Royal Family and political figures will lay their wreaths simultaneously.""This year, in order to allow the parade to get under way earlier, some members of the Royal Family and political figures will lay their wreaths simultaneously."
BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the decision was initially thought to have raised eyebrows among the opposition parties at Westminster.BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the decision was initially thought to have raised eyebrows among the opposition parties at Westminster.
The Times reported that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, Angus Robertson of the SNP and Nigel Dodds, the DUP's Westminster leader, were told by email that they would no longer each lay a wreath in turn but perform their duty collectively, leaving only the prime minister to lay one on his own.The Times reported that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, Angus Robertson of the SNP and Nigel Dodds, the DUP's Westminster leader, were told by email that they would no longer each lay a wreath in turn but perform their duty collectively, leaving only the prime minister to lay one on his own.
The newspaper claims Downing Street "is facing pressure to return the format to the original or agree that all five party leaders should have equal billing at the ceremony". The newspaper claimed Downing Street was "facing pressure to return the format to the original or agree that all five party leaders should have equal billing at the ceremony".
However, the prime minister's spokesman said he was not aware of any opposition parties raising concerns about their leaders' proposed involvement.However, the prime minister's spokesman said he was not aware of any opposition parties raising concerns about their leaders' proposed involvement.
A Downing Street spokesman said that talks on the format for the ceremony were "ongoing" between the Royal Household and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.A Downing Street spokesman said that talks on the format for the ceremony were "ongoing" between the Royal Household and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.