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Ceremony pays tribute to war dead Ceremony pays tribute to war dead
(40 minutes later)
The Royal Family, leading politicians and former servicemen and women have taken part in the annual service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.The Royal Family, leading politicians and former servicemen and women have taken part in the annual service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in London.
The Queen laid the first wreath in memory of those who gave their lives in the two World Wars and other conflicts.The Queen laid the first wreath in memory of those who gave their lives in the two World Wars and other conflicts.
The traditional two-minute silence at 1100 GMT was followed by buglers playing the Last Post.The traditional two-minute silence at 1100 GMT was followed by buglers playing the Last Post.
British troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are also planning to mark the day with their own ceremonies.British troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are also planning to mark the day with their own ceremonies.
Wreaths were placed at the Cenotaph in Whitehall by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent. Amid tight security, wreaths were placed at the Cenotaph in Whitehall by the Queen, wearing a black coat and black hat, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and high commissioners from more than 40 Commonwealth countries, also laid wreaths at the stone monument, as did representatives from the Army, Navy and the Royal Air Force. The packed crowd of gathered troops, veterans and civilians were required to pass through metal detectors in preparation for the ceremony.
William and Harry Prime Minister Tony Blair was joined by high commissioners from more than 40 Commonwealth countries to lay wreaths at the stone monument.
About 8,000 veterans then paraded past the Cenotaph. Representatives from the Army, Navy and the Royal Air Force also laid tributes.
Cannon
As Big Ben struck, a single cannon shot signalled the start and end of the two minutes of silence.
The Royal Marines then sounded the Last Post and about 8,000 veterans paraded past the Cenotaph to pay respect to all those who have lost their lives in conflict.
Chancellor Gordon Brown, former prime ministers Baroness Thatcher and John Major also attended. Wreaths were laid by Conservative leader David Cameron and the Liberal Democrats' Sir Menzies Campbell; Ian Paisley of the DUP and Elfyn Llwyd on behalf of the Nationalist parties.Chancellor Gordon Brown, former prime ministers Baroness Thatcher and John Major also attended. Wreaths were laid by Conservative leader David Cameron and the Liberal Democrats' Sir Menzies Campbell; Ian Paisley of the DUP and Elfyn Llwyd on behalf of the Nationalist parties.
The ceremony was attended by faith leaders including Muslim Council of Britain secretary general Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Network of Sikh Organisations director Dr Indarjit Singh and National Council of Hindu Temples UK president Sudarshan Bhatia.The ceremony was attended by faith leaders including Muslim Council of Britain secretary general Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Network of Sikh Organisations director Dr Indarjit Singh and National Council of Hindu Temples UK president Sudarshan Bhatia.
Watching the service from a balcony at the Foreign Office was Prince William, with his stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra.Watching the service from a balcony at the Foreign Office was Prince William, with his stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra.
Prince Harry, a cornet in the Blues and Royals, was attending a private regimental remembrance service with the Household Cavalry.Prince Harry, a cornet in the Blues and Royals, was attending a private regimental remembrance service with the Household Cavalry.
'Victory march''Victory march'
There were simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast, with other ceremonies at local war memorials in towns and villages.There were simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast, with other ceremonies at local war memorials in towns and villages.
It is the first Remembrance Day since soldiers executed for cowardice and desertion during the World War I received pardons from the government.It is the first Remembrance Day since soldiers executed for cowardice and desertion during the World War I received pardons from the government.
And Janet Booth, the granddaughter of Pte Harry Farr, who received a pardon this year, told BBC News attending this year's service was particularly poignant for her family.And Janet Booth, the granddaughter of Pte Harry Farr, who received a pardon this year, told BBC News attending this year's service was particularly poignant for her family.
All those who campaigned to have their relatives pardoned would view the event as "a victory march as well as a remembrance parade", she added.All those who campaigned to have their relatives pardoned would view the event as "a victory march as well as a remembrance parade", she added.
Armistice Day eventsArmistice Day events
On Saturday, a two-minute silence and various events across the UK marked Armistice Day, the anniversary of the official end of World War I on 11 November 1918.On Saturday, a two-minute silence and various events across the UK marked Armistice Day, the anniversary of the official end of World War I on 11 November 1918.
The Queen and Tony Blair attended a service for New Zealand's war dead in central London.
War veterans met to remember colleagues who lost their livesWar veterans met to remember colleagues who lost their lives
The Queen and Tony Blair attended a service for New Zealand's war dead in central London.
An event in Trafalgar Square, called Silence in the Square, was held, while families of some servicemen killed in Iraq held a separate ceremony at the Cenotaph.An event in Trafalgar Square, called Silence in the Square, was held, while families of some servicemen killed in Iraq held a separate ceremony at the Cenotaph.
Later, the Queen joined the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at London's Royal Albert Hall.Later, the Queen joined the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at London's Royal Albert Hall.
More than one million men and women from Britain and the Commonwealth died in World War I between 1914 and 1918, and nearly 500,000 in World War II from 1939 to 1945.More than one million men and women from Britain and the Commonwealth died in World War I between 1914 and 1918, and nearly 500,000 in World War II from 1939 to 1945.
The number of British service personnel who have died in Iraq since the start of hostilities in 2003 stands at 121.The number of British service personnel who have died in Iraq since the start of hostilities in 2003 stands at 121.
Since 2001, 41 British Forces personnel have died while serving in Afghanistan.Since 2001, 41 British Forces personnel have died while serving in Afghanistan.