Each year, on the 11th of November, the UK pauses to honour the courage and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Armed Forces during two World Wars and other conflicts. The date marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918, officially declared on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
On Sunday 10th November 2024, services will be held across the UK, and the morning of Remembrance Sunday will see the annual Remembrance Day Parade take place in central London, culminating at the Cenotaph in Whitehall for the poppy wreath-laying ceremony.
Where to see Remembrance Day ceremonies
On Friday 8th November, the Greater London Authority, London Assembly and the City Hall Branch of the Royal British Legion will host their annual Remembrance Day service at London City Hall. You can watch this 60-minute ceremony live via a streaming service on their official page – keep an eye on it for updates.
BBC One and BBC Radio 4 will offer live coverage of the Remembrance Sunday service, starting at 1100 hrs. There will be additional coverage on ITV and Sky News.
As Big Ben tolls eleven, a single gun will be fired by the Horse Guards Parade, ushering in the traditional two-minute silence. This will be followed by a further round of gunfire and the bugle call ‘The Last Post’ before the wreath-laying ceremony, led by HRM King Charles III and carried out by members of the Royal Family, political leaders and Veterans.
Concurrently, a poignant service in Westminster Abbey will join political leaders, the Royal family, and members of the public in remembrance. RAF flypasts are a national Remembrance Day hallmark, including one over the Cenotaph.
Attending the Ceremony
You can find more information on the London Remembrance Day Parade route and schedule here. Watch and listen to coverage from the 2023 Remembrance Day ceremony on BBC iPlayer here.
The UK government website has also listed timings, security and travel information, and other useful details for watching the ceremony on TV or navigating the capital for those who are attending.
While registration is now closed for the 2024 Cenotaph Parade, the Royal British Legion (RBL) has asked those interested in registering for potential inclusion in the 2025 Parade to keep an eye on their website for new information as it arises.
Other Remembrance Day activities
On Saturday 9th November, the Royal Albert Hall will host the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance. Two separate performances on the day will continue the theme of ‘Service’ and ‘Service Not Self’, where a combination of personal testimonies and storytelling, music and ceremony will convey public admiration and esteem for the Armed Forces and civil society, underscoring the values of selflessness, duty and reliability.
For Portsmouth, 2024’s special focus on D-Day 80 and the Falklands War’s 40th anniversary centred the city in national commemoration events. Portsmouth’s November Remembrance Day activities will include parades and wreath-laying ceremonies at memorials – alongside educational events around the city that honour the memory of those who served.
The Isle of Wight, strongly connected to Portsmouth and the Armed Forces, will host various commemorative events, such as services in Newport and Ryde, and a two-minute silence at 1100 hrs on the 11th. Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend, while local schools, churches, and organisations will participate in their own ways to pay respects.
Remembrance Day 2024 is particularly significant, not just as a moment to reflect on historical bravery, but also as an occasion for unity in a world still beset by global tensions.
VOS is here to support veterans from the UK Armed Forces service, the Merchant Navy, and their partners. If you know a veteran (from any time of service) located in Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Gosport, Fareham or the Solent area, please pass our details along.
If you’re a veteran or partner and are thinking about getting in touch, we would love to hear from you. Call us on 02392 731 767, visit one of our drop-ins, or email admin@vosuk.org.
Please note that VOS is not a crisis service. If you need immediate support, please contact one of the following:
- Your GP or NHS 111
- Attend A&E or call 999 for medical emergencies
- The Samaritans on 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
- A trusted family member or friend
