Today, Sunday, November 8, is Remembrance Sunday – the closest Sunday to Remembrance Day on Wednesday, 11 November.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, the Armistice began – an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations.
With a national lockdown in place, what will happen to the usual Remembrance Sunday services?
And will the two minutes silence be taking place?
Will there still be a Remembrance Sunday service this year?
There will still be a remembrance service at the Cenotaph today, however, it will be scaled back.
For the first time ever, the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Central London will not be open to the public.
Members of the royal family and political officials will still be present to mark the occasion following strict social distancing measures.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: ‘This Remembrance Sunday has a particular significance as it marks 100 years since the Cenotaph was installed.
‘It is with a heavy heart that I must ask people not to attend the ceremony at the Cenotaph this year in order to keep veterans and the public safe.
‘We will ensure our plans for the day are a fitting tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and that our veterans are at the heart of the service – with the nation able to watch safely from home.’
The service will still follow many traditions though, including the Exhortation, which reads:
‘They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.’
The Last Post will still be sounded ahead of a two-minute silence too.
What time is the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph on BBC One today?
Coverage of the service will start at 10:15am on BBC One.
The broadcast from Whitehall will be presented by David Dimbleby.
The broadcast will include a pre-recorded segment involving Her Majesty the Queen, who visited the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior to lay a replica of her bridal bouquet on Wednesday, November 4.
This is a tradition the Queen’s mother started back in 1923, and one the Queen has observed during her reign.
The Queen will not be present at today’s service but requested a visit to the tomb in Westminster Abbey earlier in the week.
What time is the 2 minute silence?
There will be a two-minute silence as normal today at 11am.
Since 1919, on the second Sunday of November, a two-minute silence has been observed at this time, taking place at war memorials, cenotaphs, shopping centres, on radio stations and many public venues throughout the country.
This year, the Royal British Legion are asking Brits to stand on their doorsteps to observe the silence.
The charity, which is responsible for the annual Poppy Appeal, tweeted: ‘This year we’re honouring #WW2 veterans like Rajindar, Frank and Norman. Play your part from home and take part in a personal act of Remembrance by standing on your doorstep for the Two Minute Silence.’
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