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World leaders at WW1 centenary events in UK and Belgium World leaders at WW1 centenary events in UK and Belgium
(35 minutes later)
Royals and world leaders have gathered for ceremonies marking 100 years since Britain joined World War One.Royals and world leaders have gathered for ceremonies marking 100 years since Britain joined World War One.
The Prince of Wales and David Cameron are at a Glasgow service, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Belgium with many heads of state.The Prince of Wales and David Cameron are at a Glasgow service, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Belgium with many heads of state.
UK buildings from Downing Street to the Blackpool Tower will turn lights off from 22:00 BST to mark the centenary. The day concludes with a "lights out" event around the UK and a candle-lit vigil at Westminster Abbey.
The public can join the switch-off ending at 23:00 - the time Britain declared war on Germany in 1914.The public can join the switch-off ending at 23:00 - the time Britain declared war on Germany in 1914.
About 17 million soldiers and civilians were killed between 1914 and 1918.About 17 million soldiers and civilians were killed between 1914 and 1918.
'Deadly days''Deadly days'
The day's events began in Liege, Belgium, where 50 heads of state have gathered for a service to mark the invasion of Belgium.The day's events began in Liege, Belgium, where 50 heads of state have gathered for a service to mark the invasion of Belgium.
French President Francois Hollande said the country had been the first battleground of WW1 and had offered "solid resistance" in Liege.French President Francois Hollande said the country had been the first battleground of WW1 and had offered "solid resistance" in Liege.
"Deadly days" followed when French and British soldiers joined the fight, he added. "Deadly days" followed when French and British soldiers joined the conflict, he said.
Prince William is also speaking at the ceremony. Speaking to the gathered European leaders, Prince William said: "We were enemies more than once in the last century and today were are friends and allies.
Meanwhile, the service at Glasgow Cathedral has heard from a number of Commonwealth figures. "We salute those who died to give us our freedom. We will remember them."
Prince Charles, Mr Cameron and First Minister Alex Salmond are among 1,400 guests there, including military and political figures. Meanwhile, the service at Glasgow Cathedral - attended by Prince Charles, Mr Cameron, First Minister Alex Salmond, and 1,400 others - has heard from a number of Commonwealth figures.
AnalysisAnalysis
Peter Hunt, BBC NewsPeter Hunt, BBC News
It was the most destructive war that had ever been fought.It was the most destructive war that had ever been fought.
One hundred years on, a consensus among historians and politicians as to why it broke out remains elusive.One hundred years on, a consensus among historians and politicians as to why it broke out remains elusive.
But there is consensus about the human cost and human sacrifice which will be commemorated across the UK and in Belgium.But there is consensus about the human cost and human sacrifice which will be commemorated across the UK and in Belgium.
The royals, more used to marking the end of a conflict, will attend many of the events.The royals, more used to marking the end of a conflict, will attend many of the events.
At Glasgow Cathedral, the sometimes overlooked contribution of former British colonies - now Commonwealth nations - will be remembered.At Glasgow Cathedral, the sometimes overlooked contribution of former British colonies - now Commonwealth nations - will be remembered.
In Belgium, where the invasion by Germany is etched in the collective memory, the emphasis will be on reconciliation.In Belgium, where the invasion by Germany is etched in the collective memory, the emphasis will be on reconciliation.
And at Westminster Abbey, in the evening, the last moments of peace before the British Empire entered the war will be reflected upon during a candlelit vigil.And at Westminster Abbey, in the evening, the last moments of peace before the British Empire entered the war will be reflected upon during a candlelit vigil.
There'll be many more such events between now and 2018.There'll be many more such events between now and 2018.
All are designed, according to the government, to improve our understanding of the causes, conduct and consequences of WW1.All are designed, according to the government, to improve our understanding of the causes, conduct and consequences of WW1.
Commemorations being held throughout the day include:Commemorations being held throughout the day include:
Between 22:00 and 23:00, the Royal British Legion's "Lights Out" event will see households, businesses and public buildings across the UK turn out their lights to leave a single candle or light burning.Between 22:00 and 23:00, the Royal British Legion's "Lights Out" event will see households, businesses and public buildings across the UK turn out their lights to leave a single candle or light burning.
The event was inspired by the words of wartime Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, who said on the eve of WW1: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time." The event was inspired by the words of wartime Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, who said on the eve of WW1: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.
Tower Bridge, the Eden Project in Cornwall, the headquarters of the Football Association and the Imperial War Museums in London and Salford are among the other buildings taking part in the event.Tower Bridge, the Eden Project in Cornwall, the headquarters of the Football Association and the Imperial War Museums in London and Salford are among the other buildings taking part in the event.
The St Symphorien cemetery is of particular significance as an equal number of both German and British soldiers are buried there. Among them lies Private John Parr, who was the first British soldier killed on the Western Front, and Maurice James Dease who was the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in WW1.The St Symphorien cemetery is of particular significance as an equal number of both German and British soldiers are buried there. Among them lies Private John Parr, who was the first British soldier killed on the Western Front, and Maurice James Dease who was the first recipient of the Victoria Cross in WW1.
Elsewhere, 888,246 ceramic poppies are being placed in the dry moat at the Tower of London, one for each soldier who died fighting for Britain and its colonies in WW1.Elsewhere, 888,246 ceramic poppies are being placed in the dry moat at the Tower of London, one for each soldier who died fighting for Britain and its colonies in WW1.
The installation by artist Paul Cummins is entitled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red and will be unveiled on Tuesday.The installation by artist Paul Cummins is entitled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red and will be unveiled on Tuesday.
'Mark it properly''Mark it properly'
Prime Minister David Cameron told BBC Breakfast the outbreak of war was "an extraordinary day in Britain's history".Prime Minister David Cameron told BBC Breakfast the outbreak of war was "an extraordinary day in Britain's history".
"When you think that almost every family, almost every community was affected, almost a million British people were lost in this war, it is right that even 100 years on, we commemorate it, we think about it and we mark it properly," he said."When you think that almost every family, almost every community was affected, almost a million British people were lost in this war, it is right that even 100 years on, we commemorate it, we think about it and we mark it properly," he said.
The Queen will not attend any of the major ceremonies, but will pay her respects at a service in Crathie Kirk near Balmoral in Scotland. The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a ceremony at Sandringham Church in Norfolk.The Queen will not attend any of the major ceremonies, but will pay her respects at a service in Crathie Kirk near Balmoral in Scotland. The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a ceremony at Sandringham Church in Norfolk.
On Sunday, the French and German presidents commemorated the 100th anniversary of Germany's declaration of war on France on 3 August 1914.On Sunday, the French and German presidents commemorated the 100th anniversary of Germany's declaration of war on France on 3 August 1914.
How will you be commemorating the centenary? What are your recollections of family members who took part in the war? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How will you be commemorating the centenary? What are your recollections of family members who took part in the war? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you have personal images from World War One you would like to share with the BBC, you can email them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.If you have personal images from World War One you would like to share with the BBC, you can email them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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