PRINCE William and Princess Kate shared a moving message to war heroes at the Cenotaph today – just 24 hours after chaos broke out at the memorial.
The royal couple joined King Charles as he laid a wreath at an emotional Remembrance Day service in London – as they united a nation in grief.
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King Charles was somber as he saluted by the cenotaph Credit: AP
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Queen Camilla and Princess Kate stood tall as the emotional service began. Credit: Reuters
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The Princess of Wales looked emotional as the ceremony began Credit: i-Images
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The King laid a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph Credits: Rex
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About 10,000 veterans and 800 members of the armed forces took to the streets today to mark Memorial DayCredit: Getty
The service appeared calm and respectful after the protest erupted in violence in central London yesterday morning and overnight – with bottles thrown, torches set off and fighting in explosive clashes.
But today the king led the nation to unite in grief as Britons bowed their heads in two minutes’ silence at Remembrance Day services across the country.
The monarch laid a wreath this morning at the foot of the Cenotaph in London, the monument where chaotic scenes unfolded yesterday as thugs threw bottles at police.
William, Prince of Wales, also laid a poppy wreath – with the message “In memory of all those who have sacrificed so much” which was then translated into Welsh – at the memorial, while Princess Kate and Queen Camilla paid their respects on the balcony overlooking at your service.
Kate appeared to fight back tears as she stood by the Queen’s side and watched King Charles lay his poppy wreath.
A long line of armed forces was seen winding from Downing Street to Horse Guards Parade, as poppy wreaths were brought inside.
The crowd could be heard applauding as the group, which included 10,000 veterans and 800 members of the armed forces, made its way through the streets.
Bands and bagpipers stood tall as they and thousands of others gathered in the pouring rain.
The Duke of Kent, however, missed the service – said to be reluctantly staying at home after “episodic mobility issues”.
Yesterday’s counter-protests were organized because of fears that pro-Palestinian marches would disrupt Armistice Day services.
It comes as…
But groups began clashing with police – hurling missiles as they raced through the streets chanting “England till I die” and “Let us pass”.
Police said 126 counter-protesters were arrested.
And while the Met Police said the 300,000-strong pro-Palestinian march had started “without incident”, a group of 150 people were stopped after firing fireworks at police.
This afternoon it was revealed that seven men have been charged – with police still trying to identify more people accused of anti-Semitism.
Police also launched an investigation after Jewish families leaving a synagogue in north London were allegedly targeted by pro-Palestinian activists.
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism confirmed it was “aware” of Jewish families being “targeted on their way out of the synagogue”.
The group said it had “received multiple reports of police having to escort worshipers in groups for their own safety.”
Videos circulating online show a group of men holding green flags, waving Palestinian flags and shouting from a car.
Defense Minister Grant Shapps said more arrests were likely.
He told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme: “I’m sure there are many more arrests due to yesterday’s march, simply because the police were distracted or because they didn’t want to intervene immediately.”
Shapps also made comments to Suella Braverman after the Home Secretary said police officers were “playing favourites” during protests this weekend.
He dismissed suggestions she had instigated the protests – saying it had “nothing to do with” her inflammatory article.
I’m sure there are many more arrests due to yesterday’s parade.
Grant Shapps, Minister for Defence
Mr Shapps said: “It’s just that some people have turned up determined – by the way, never mind what the Home Secretary said in the sense that they’ve already said they’re going to be here doing these things – to disrupt things here at the Cenotaph.
“This counter-protest should have happened before.”
Still, he added, “I personally wouldn’t use that set of words.”
Thousands – including politicians – were affected as both protesters and counter-protesters took to the streets of the capital.
Senior cabinet minister Michael Gove was filmed trying to get through Victoria station while pro-Palestinian protesters were inside.
The video shows Gove trying to make his way through a police escort as the crowd chants at him.
He then thanked the police – and everyone who contacted him to see if he was OK.
In a post on X, Gove said: “I’m so grateful for so many kind messages over the last 24 hours.
“I would like to thank the police for their exemplary work in getting me home safely yesterday.”
But Charles also stood firm in the nation’s defense last night, unveiling a touching tribute to his late parents at the Festival of Remembrance last night.
Charles, who will turn 75 on Tuesday, was joined at the event by the Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the royal family.
As he unveiled the statue of his mother, he looked up briefly and seemed to shed a tear.
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Prince William and King Charles marched togetherCredit: AP
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King Charles rallied the nation today as he led a Remembrance Day service Credit: AP
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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh was emotional during the service Credit: Rex
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Prince William paid tribute with a poppy wreath Credit: Rex
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The King and Princess Anne were joined by other members of the royal familyCredit: PA
Charles then headed into the hall with Queen Camilla for the two-hour event, which included hundreds of veterans and military personnel.
Thousands of Britons paid their respects to war heroes this weekend despite protests.
Speaking at today’s London service, Craig Davis, 30, told The Sun: “I’m here to remember the victims of the First World War and all the conflicts that took place.
“People shouldn’t have been violent yesterday. That’s disrespectful. People are allowed to have their own opinion and protest, but it must never be violent.
“We’re in the 21st century, we should be better at resolving conflicts instead of being violent.”
There didn’t appear to be any problems with the service – but a reporter at the scene said one person was taken away by police.
Memorial weekend is a time to come together as a nation and remember those who fought and died for our freedoms.
Rishi SunakPrime Minister
Suella Braverman was among the politicians who attended the service today.
She stepped forward and laid a poppy wreath at the foot of the cenotaph – as did Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Last night, Sunak sharply criticized the “violent, completely unacceptable” actions of counter-protesters and “Hamas sympathizers” at the pro-Palestinian march.
The Prime Minister said: “I condemn the violent, totally unacceptable scenes we saw today from the EDL and affiliated groups and Hamas sympathizers who attended the National March for Palestine.
“The heinous actions of the minority undermine those who have decided to express their views peacefully.
“Memorial weekend is a time to come together as a nation and remember those who fought and died for our freedoms.
“What we saw today is not a defense of the honor of our Armed Forces, but their utter disrespect.
“This is true of the EDL thugs attacking police officers and storming the Cenotaph, and it is true of those chanting anti-Semitic chants and waving pro-Hamas signs and clothing at today’s protest.
“The fear and intimidation that the Jewish community experienced over the weekend is deplorable.
“Any crime must be met with the full and swift force of the law. That is what I told the Met Police Commissioner on Wednesday, that is what they are responsible for and that is what I expect.
“I will be meeting with the Commissioner of the Meteorological Police in the next few days.”
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Queen Camilla and Princess Kate shared sweet looks as the service got underway
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Prince William, the King and his sister Princess Anne marched into service together Credit: AP
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It comes after hundreds of people were arrested during protests and counter-protests yesterdayCredit: Alamy
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The service was held at the Cenotaph, near where chaos broke out yesterdayCredit: PA
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Defense Minister Grant Shapps said he thought there would be more arrests after yesterday’s clashesCredit: Rex
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There was heavy police near the Cenotaph from early morningCredit: LNP
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak laid a poppy wreath this morning Credit: Rex
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Veterans and active military personnel began gathering at Horse Guards Parade early this morning for the service Credit: LNP
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Home Secretary Suella Braverman attended the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph Credit: Rex
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Michael Gove had to pass through Victoria Station urgently. Credit: Story Picture Agency
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The Met Police doubled the number of police officers on the ground in London yesterdayCredit: AFP
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Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson also joined the National Service of Remembrance Credit: Rex
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