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Remembrance Sunday: Nation falls silent as Queen leads commemorations | Remembrance Sunday: Nation falls silent as Queen leads commemorations |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Queen has led the nation in remembering service personnel killed during conflicts, as Remembrance Sunday services are held around the UK. | |
A two-minute silence was observed before the monarch laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in central London. | A two-minute silence was observed before the monarch laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in central London. |
Events are being held across the UK and abroad, including in Afghanistan. | Events are being held across the UK and abroad, including in Afghanistan. |
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One, 70 years since the D-Day landings and the end of Britain's conflict in Afghanistan. | This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One, 70 years since the D-Day landings and the end of Britain's conflict in Afghanistan. |
Prime Minister David Cameron said the anniversaries made the commemorations "particularly poignant". | Prime Minister David Cameron said the anniversaries made the commemorations "particularly poignant". |
Elsewhere, other ceremonies included: | Elsewhere, other ceremonies included: |
Security was visibly tighter in central London this year. | |
Senior royals, including the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles, joined the monarch in laying wreaths. Mr Cameron, his deputy Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband also paid their respects. | |
Forty-six high commissioners from Commonwealth countries each then laid a wreath before the Irish ambassador to the UK, Dan Mulhall, left a floral tribute. | |
It is the first time since 1946 that a representative from Ireland has participated in a wreath laying ceremony in London. Fifty thousand Irish men died in World War One. | |
As the Queen left The Cenotaph, spontaneous applause spread through the crowds. | |
'Intensity and poignancy' | 'Intensity and poignancy' |
Before the ceremony at the Cenotaph, Scotland Yard said there would be "appropriate and proportionate" policing after four men were arrested on Thursday in west London and High Wycombe over an alleged Islamist terrorism plot on British soil. | |
Gen Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of the Defence Staff, had said "the proximity of the sense of threat for this weekend" had "intensified" security levels. | |
But "we've just got to keep continuing our normal life," he said. | But "we've just got to keep continuing our normal life," he said. |
"The last thing that we at all would want to do is succumb to any sense that there is a terrorist threat there that is at all going to stop the British way of life." | "The last thing that we at all would want to do is succumb to any sense that there is a terrorist threat there that is at all going to stop the British way of life." |
At the scene | At the scene |
Lauren Turner, BBC News | Lauren Turner, BBC News |
The queue may have been stretching down almost to Westminster Bridge, but those waiting to get onto Whitehall were happy to wait. | The queue may have been stretching down almost to Westminster Bridge, but those waiting to get onto Whitehall were happy to wait. |
The security measures saw airport-style scanners used on everyone wanting to witness the Remembrance Sunday commemorations, as well as bags being searched by police officers. | The security measures saw airport-style scanners used on everyone wanting to witness the Remembrance Sunday commemorations, as well as bags being searched by police officers. |
There were also armed police on Whitehall, and officers lining the street. | There were also armed police on Whitehall, and officers lining the street. |
The increased security did not put people off from attending the annual event - with many saying they welcomed the measures. | The increased security did not put people off from attending the annual event - with many saying they welcomed the measures. |
Waiting in the queue, Karen Wright, from Kingston-on-Thames, said: "This is our seventh year coming down here. There's always a handbag search, but nothing like this." | Waiting in the queue, Karen Wright, from Kingston-on-Thames, said: "This is our seventh year coming down here. There's always a handbag search, but nothing like this." |
Her husband Adrian added: "We put up with this because of the current situation - we don't mind at all." | Her husband Adrian added: "We put up with this because of the current situation - we don't mind at all." |
Monty Wild, 70, from Droitwich, said: "We expected to queue, with there being a higher threat. | Monty Wild, 70, from Droitwich, said: "We expected to queue, with there being a higher threat. |
"I'm just glad we live in a country that takes all these precautions and does it so well." | "I'm just glad we live in a country that takes all these precautions and does it so well." |
'Tremendous debt' | 'Tremendous debt' |
Mr Cameron said: "Today we stand united to remember the courageous men and women who have served our country, defended our freedoms and kept us safe. | Mr Cameron said: "Today we stand united to remember the courageous men and women who have served our country, defended our freedoms and kept us safe. |
"We remember all those who have fallen and those who have risked their lives to protect us. | "We remember all those who have fallen and those who have risked their lives to protect us. |
"We owe each and every member of our armed forces and the families who support them a tremendous debt - one that can never be repaid - and I pay huge tribute to their bravery and resolve." | "We owe each and every member of our armed forces and the families who support them a tremendous debt - one that can never be repaid - and I pay huge tribute to their bravery and resolve." |
World War One Centenary | World War One Centenary |
After dusk falls, images of falling poppies are to be projected on to Big Ben, officially known as Parliament's Elizabeth Tower. | After dusk falls, images of falling poppies are to be projected on to Big Ben, officially known as Parliament's Elizabeth Tower. |
On Saturday, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family joined veterans and the public at the Royal British Legion's annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. | On Saturday, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family joined veterans and the public at the Royal British Legion's annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. |
World War One Centenary | World War One Centenary |
The National Secular Society has written to the government asking it to review the role of the Church of England at the national ceremony of remembrance, which it argues should be equally inclusive of all citizens, regardless of religion and belief. | |
The society believes the commemoration should be redesigned to make it an inclusive national event, not led by a single Christian denomination. | The society believes the commemoration should be redesigned to make it an inclusive national event, not led by a single Christian denomination. |
Meanwhile, thousands of the ceramic poppies installed at the Tower of London are to tour the UK. | |
The installation, entitled Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, has been seen by an estimated four million people, but will start being dismantled on Wednesday - though part of it will stay in place until the end of the month ahead of the tour. | |
Each of the 888,246 poppies represents a British and Commonwealth death during WW1. | |
How are you marking Remembrance Sunday? Send your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | How are you marking Remembrance Sunday? Send your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Have your say | Have your say |
Share your pictures with us, email yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, or tweet @BBC_HaveYourSay | Share your pictures with us, email yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, or tweet @BBC_HaveYourSay |