The annual Festival of Remembrance at London’s Royal Albert Hall drew King Charles III and other senior royals on Saturday evening, as the nation prepared to honour its war dead. The event, organised by the Royal British Legion, brought together veterans, bereaved families and serving personnel on the eve of Remembrance Sunday.
Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, accompanied the King. As the royal party entered the hall, the audience rose and a fanfare sounded. The Princess wore the Irish Guards regimental brooch, earrings that had belonged to Queen Elizabeth II and a handcrafted poppy.
The King became patron of the Royal British Legion in 2024. The festival was broadcast on BBC One at 21:00 and presented by Clive Myrie. Among the performers were Alfie Boe and Mica Paris, and the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment was one of several military bands on stage. Chelsea Pensioners, retired British Army veterans, were also in the audience.
This year’s commemoration marked 35 years since the end of the First Gulf War and 15 years since British operations in Iraq under Operation Telic concluded. Veterans shared their personal accounts of those conflicts during the evening.
Sunday's National Ceremony
On Remembrance Sunday, the King will lead the country in two minutes of silence to remember those who died in the two world wars and later conflicts. He will be joined by other senior royals and political leaders at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in central London, where wreaths will be laid.
Around 10,000 veterans are expected to take part in the Royal British Legion’s march-past, representing more than 300 armed forces and civilian organisations. Remembrance Sunday falls on the Sunday closest to Armistice Day, 11 November, which marked the end of World War One in 1918.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting attended the festival. In a statement, the prime minister said Remembrance Sunday allows the country to honour the sacrifice of those who died and to reflect on the courage required to protect others, adding his personal thanks to everyone who has served and continues to serve in the Armed Forces.
Last year, Prince George attended the concert with the King, Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales, in what was understood to be his first appearance at the event.
