UK and Europe mark Armistice Day: two-minute silence and services at the Cenotaph

On 11 November, services are held across the UK to mark Armistice Day, which commemorated the end of the First World War. At 11:00 GMT a nationwide two-minute silence was observed in memory of those killed in all conflicts. The main ceremony takes place at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, while in Paris President Emmanuel Macron took part in a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Aziz KarimovFirst published on tafs uz 11 November 2026 at 15:542 min read

The key facts

Nationwide two-minute silence in the UK at 11:00 GMT on 11 November
At the Cenotaph on Whitehall, wreaths will be laid by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker Lord Forsyth
On Sunday, King Charles III already laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, and 10,000 veterans marched past

Armistice Day: services across the UK

Services marking Armistice Day, which commemorates the end of the First World War, are being held across the UK and in other countries around the world on 11 November. The armistice — an agreement to cease hostilities as a prelude to peace negotiations — came into force at 11:00 on 11 November 1918. In memory of that event and of all those killed in conflicts since, a nationwide two-minute silence was observed at 11:00 GMT.

Who takes part in the ceremonies

The main service is held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London, attended by government ministers, senior military figures from various countries, schoolchildren and cadets. Wreaths will be laid by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord Speaker Lord Forsyth, while Karen Spilka, president of the Massachusetts Senate, will read a poem. Another ceremony took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Poppies and other floral tributes have been laid at the Cenotaph in advance.

Commemorations in Europe and Remembrance Sunday

Events are also taking place in other European countries. In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron attended a ceremony during which a wreath was laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The main UK remembrance events already took place last Sunday: King Charles III led the nationwide two-minute silence in London and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, after which 10,000 armed forces veterans marched past the memorial.