Lest we forget: Armistice Day services held across UK to remember the fallen

Published: 07:52 EST, 11 November 2026 | Updated: 07:59 EST, 11 November 2026 Britain paid tribute to its fallen heroes today with Armistice Day services held across the country.Veterans, soldiers, politicians and mourners united in observing a two-minute silence at 11am with many braving rain and bitter cold to pay their respects.An Armistice Day service was held at the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in Alrewas, Staffordshire, where the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester laid a wreath and observed the silence. Last year, the Princess of Wales attended the service in Alrewas and joined veterans in honouring fallen soldiers, before laying a wreath in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker Lord Forsyth of Drumlean laid wreaths at the Angel Memorial in Westminster Hall, in the Houses of Parliament, to mark the end of the First World War.They were joined by Massachusetts senate president Karen Spilka, who read a poem.Sir Lindsay then processed to the Lower Waiting Hall of the House of Commons for a Turning the Page ceremony remembering Alan Scott Balfour, who died in 1918.Defence Secretary Wes Streeting attended the Western Front Association’s annual Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London, and marked the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, pictured centre, arrives for the Western Front Association's Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Wednesday The Band of the Coldstream Guards pictured ahead of the Armistice Day service at the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in Alrewas, Staffs The Duchess of Gloucester speaking to members of the public after laying a wreath and observing the two-minute silence Wreaths placed during an Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph Members of the armed forces take part in an Armistice Day ceremony at the CenotaphHe was joined by UK Government and senior international military representatives, schoolchildren, cadets and many members of the public who braved the rain to pay their respects.Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also paid his respects to the war dead during a ceremony at the National Police Memorial in central London.In pictures shared on X by the Met Police, Sir Mark can be seen holding a wreath, reflecting and speaking to other members of the force.Wreaths were also laid during a service at the Portsmouth the First World War Memorial in Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, Hampshire, where Farming Minister and MP for Portsmouth South Stephen Morgan joined Royal Navy officers and other dignitaries.A veteran could be seen placing a cross of remembrance during the service, and Royal Navy officers saluted.Meanwhile, many gathered at the Tommy statue, a tribute to the soldiers of the First World War in Dover, Kent.A number of ceremonies were also held across Scotland, including in Edinburgh where a service was held at the garden of remembrance, part of Princes Street Gardens.The one o'clock gun at Edinburgh Castle fired at 11am to mark the start of the two-minute silence.A short service was also held by Rev Dr Karen Campbell, who is the national chaplain of Royal British Legion Scotland.Commemorations also took place at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle and at Glasgow’s George Square.