Armistice Day: UK holds two-minute silence

The UK has marked Armistice Day with a two-minute silence.

This year's commemorations to remember the war dead involved the recently restored Big Ben striking 11 times.

The silence is held every year at 11:00 GMT on 11 November to mark the end of World War One in 1918.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that "as we salute our troops" this year, "Ukraine's fight for freedom" will also be remembered.

Mr Cleverly attended a remembrance service held by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

France's President Emmanuel Macron lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe

In a statement issued ahead of his visit, Mr Cleverly said that the work of the "brave men and women who have served to give us peace" has "been shattered by a Russian aggressor".

"The UK stands steadfast with our friends and allies in defence of freedom and democracy in Ukraine and I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with an historic ally in Paris," he added.

Mr Cleverly will also meet with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and the pair will discuss, amongst other issues, the two countries' support for Ukraine.

Standard bearers observe a two-minute silence at the Weymouth Cenotaph war memorial

Veterans and the public observe a two minute silence during an Armistice Day service at the Armed Forces Memorial in the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire

Back in the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted a tribute, writing: "Today and forever, we will remember them."

A number of services have been held across the UK.

In Edinburgh's Garden of Remembrance, veterans, serving personnel and the public lay wreaths and the city's famous One O'Clock Gun was fired from the castle.

In London, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer joined veterans and railway staff outside Euston station, while in Staffordshire, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the National Memorial Arboretum Armistice Day Service.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester marked the anniversary at the Armed Forces Memorial in the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire

The Met Office said conditions across the UK were "exceptionally mild" as it predicted that Friday could be the warmest Armistice Day on record.

Further tributes will be paid at services on Sunday, including one attended by the Royal Family at the Cenotaph - the first since the death of the Queen.

During the service, which the Prince and Princess of Wales will also attend, King Charles will lay a poppy wreath incorporating a ribbon of his racing colours of scarlet, purple and gold.

King Charles (then Prince of Wales) at the National Service of Remembrance in 2021

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Royal racing colours were also incorporated into the wreaths of the late Queen, George V and George VI.

A wreath will also be laid on behalf of the Queen Consort for the first time, while she watches from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office building.

Prince William will lay a wreath previously laid by his father, featuring the white Prince of Wales feathers and a new ribbon in Welsh red.

Veterans during an Armistice Day service at Poppyscotland's Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh

Employees line the balconies of the Lloyd's of London building during the two-minute silence

Big Ben will strike again on Remembrance Sunday to mark the beginning of the two minutes silence.

The bell has been largely silent for five years after it was dismantled and repaired in a renovation project.

During her 70-year reign the late Queen, who lived through World War Two, only missed seven Remembrance services - including in 2021 due to a back sprain.

The Royal Family will also attend the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in 2025, the BBC is trying to gather as many first-hand accounts from surviving veterans as possible, to preserve them for future generation.

Working with a number of partners, including the Normandy Memorial Trust and the Royal British Legion, the BBC has already spoken to many men and women who served during the War - you can watch their testimonies here.