Starmer Leads Past and Present Prime Ministers at Remembrance Sunday
The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph memorial in central London during the National Service of Remembrance to honour the nation's war dead. He stood at the forefront alongside eight former prime ministers, continuing a tradition observed each year on Remembrance Sunday.
Prime Ministers and Royal Family Pay Respects
Sir John Major, Sir Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Lord David Cameron, Baroness Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak stood just behind Starmer as they joined members of the Royal Family. The service marked a solemn tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in war.
Other Political Figures Participating
- Tory leader Kemi Badenoch
- Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey
- Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
- Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle
These leaders also laid floral tributes during the ceremony.
King Charles’ Emotional Tribute
King Charles, donning a field marshal uniform and ceremonial frock coat, visibly showed emotion as he approached the war memorial just before 11am. After the bells of Big Ben chimed, a two-minute silence was held before a gunshot signaled the end, followed by the Last Post performed by the Buglers of the Royal Marines.
“The King approached the war memorial just before 11am and saluted. After the Big Ben bells chimed at 11am, a two-minute silence was perfectly observed before a gun was fired and the Last Post was sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines.”
King Charles then laid his wreath and saluted again, joined by senior royals including the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Summary
Sir Keir Starmer led the current and former prime ministers, alongside the Royal Family, in a solemn Remembrance Sunday ceremony honoring the nation's fallen soldiers with wreaths and silence at the Cenotaph.