International

King Charles to lead historic Remembrance service with wartime veterans and VJ Day anniversary

Sunday, 9 November 2025 5:02AM UTC

King Charles is set to lead the UK's annual National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, honouring fallen soldiers and marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, with participation from veterans spanning over a century of history.

King Charles is poised to lead the nation in the annual National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, underscoring the solemn tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict. The event, scheduled for a Sunday in November, will feature the King leading a two-minute silence at 11am, followed by the Royal British Legion’s march-past, which will include some 10,000 armed forces veterans. This year holds special significance as it marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, with about 20 veterans from that era expected to attend the commemoration.

The ceremony will see members of the Royal Family and senior politicians laying wreaths to honour the fallen. Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the importance of this occasion, stating that it allows the nation to “pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country.” He reflected on the extraordinary courage of the armed forces in shaping the freedoms Britain enjoys today and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting veterans, their families, and those currently serving.

Among the veterans participating are remarkable centenarians such as Donald Poole, a Royal Army Ordnance Corps technician who served in India during the final year of the war, and Sid Machin, one of the last surviving “Chindit” soldiers from the challenging Burma campaign. Their personal stories emphasize the breadth of sacrifice, with Mr Poole paying tribute not only to military personnel but also to civilian services like the fire service during the Blitz. Eileen Marshall, a 98-year-old former member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service, represents one of the few female Second World War veterans still marching at the Cenotaph, carrying with her the legacy of loved ones lost.

The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph is a meticulously observed occasion, commencing with the firing of a Minute Gun by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, and featuring military bands performing The Last Post and the National Anthem. Thousands of people traditionally line Whitehall to pay their respects, joining veterans and serving personnel in reflecting on the enduring legacy of courage and commitment across generations.

In addition to Remembrance Sunday, King Charles is set to lead other commemorations this year, notably the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day in August. This event will similarly take place at the Cenotaph, with a flypast of historic military aircraft, a two-minute silence at midday, and musical tributes, illuminating the nation’s remembrance of those who served during the war's concluding months.

The director of remembrance at the Royal British Legion, Philippa Rawlinson, urged the public to not only remember the fallen but also to honour the ongoing dedication of the armed forces community, from risking their lives in conflict zones to providing crucial support during emergencies and humanitarian crises. Her sentiments echo those of military leaders such as Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, who affirmed the nation’s commitment to remembering the sacrifices of its servicemen and women wherever they serve.

As Britain pauses this Remembrance Sunday, the collective act of remembrance led by King Charles and embraced by the nation serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for peace, freedom, and the values that continue to define the country.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (The Independent) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
^[2] (GOV.UK) - Paragraphs 1, 2
^[3] (ITV) - Paragraphs 1, 2
^[4] (Reuters) - Paragraph 6
^[5] (RAF) - Paragraph 7
^[6] (ITV) - Paragraphs 1, 2
^[7] (The National) - Paragraph 7

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/remembrance-sunday-2025-service-king-charles-b2861406.html - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-king-leads-nation-in-silence-on-remembrance-sunday - On Remembrance Sunday, His Majesty The King led the nation in a two-minute silence at the Cenotaph in London to honour those who have fallen in conflict. Members of the Royal Family, senior politicians, and faith representatives participated in the National Service of Remembrance. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the nation's gratitude to those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice, highlighting the importance of remembering their courage and commitment.
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-11-08/king-set-to-lead-remembrance-sunday-service-at-cenotaph - King Charles is set to lead the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, where he will be joined by other members of the Royal Family and senior politicians to lay wreaths in honour of the fallen. Approximately 10,000 armed forces veterans are expected to participate in the Royal British Legion’s march-past, with about 20 Second World War veterans attending, marking 80 years since the conflict's end.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/king-charles-lead-commemorations-mark-80th-anniversary-vj-day-2025-08-14/ - King Charles will lead the UK's commemorations for the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on August 15, 2025. The ceremony at the Cenotaph in London will include a flypast of historic military aircraft and a two-minute silence at midday, honouring those who fought and died in the war's final months. The event will also feature performances by military bagpipers and illuminations of iconic UK landmarks in tribute.
https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/the-king-leads-nation-in-silence-on-remembrance-sunday/ - Approximately 10,000 members of the public gathered in Whitehall, London, to participate in the annual two-minute silence at the Cenotaph and to observe The Royal British Legion’s Veterans Parade. The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a Minute Gun to commence and conclude the silence, followed by performances of The Last Post and the National Anthem by military bands. The event honoured the courage and commitment of servicemen and women across generations.
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-11-08/king-to-lead-nation-in-silence-to-honour-the-fallen-on-remembrance-sunday - King Charles is set to lead the nation in a two-minute silence to remember those who lost their lives in conflict. The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London will be attended by members of the Royal Family and senior politicians, who will lay wreaths to honour the fallen. Approximately 10,000 armed forces veterans will participate in the Royal British Legion’s march-past, with about 20 Second World War veterans attending, marking 80 years since the conflict's end.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2023/11/13/king-charles-remembrance-sunday-cenotaph/ - King Charles led the nation's Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, laying a wreath during a two-minute silence. He was joined by members of the Royal Family, including Prince William and Princess Kate, as well as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other dignitaries. Nearly 10,000 veterans and 800 armed forces personnel from all three services participated in the procession, with members of the public applauding as they marched past.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is current, published on November 9, 2025, and pertains to an upcoming event on November 12, 2025. No evidence of recycled content or prior publication was found. The report is based on a press release from the UK government, which typically warrants a high freshness score. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-king-leads-nation-in-silence-on-remembrance-sunday?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The report includes direct quotes from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and veteran Donald Poole. A search revealed no earlier usage of these quotes, suggesting they are original to this report. ([itv.com](https://www.itv.com/news/2025-11-08/king-set-to-lead-remembrance-sunday-service-at-cenotaph?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet. It is based on a UK government press release, which adds credibility. However, the report includes a direct quote from ITV News, which is not cited, potentially affecting transparency. ([itv.com](https://www.itv.com/news/2025-11-08/king-set-to-lead-remembrance-sunday-service-at-cenotaph?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims about King Charles leading the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on November 12, 2025, are plausible and consistent with known schedules for Remembrance Sunday. The inclusion of specific details, such as the participation of 10,000 veterans and the attendance of approximately 20 Second World War veterans, adds credibility. ([britishlegion.org.uk](https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/remembrance/remembrance-events/remembrance-sunday?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is current, original, and based on a reputable source. The claims are plausible and supported by specific details. The only minor issue is the uncredited quote from ITV News, which affects transparency. Overall, the report is credible.

King Charles
Remembrance Sunday
VJ Day
Cenotaph