King to lead Cenotaph Remembrance service one day after far-right riot | UK News

King Charles will lead tomorrow’s Remembrance Sunday’s service at the Cenotaph to honour those who have died in conflict.

His appearance for the ceremony comes just one day after far-right counter protesters ran riot at the memorial on Saturday, clashing with police on either side of the Armistice Day service.

Scotland Yard later said almost 100 had been arrested after they tried to reach the pro-Palestine march, which was making its way through the capital.

A major policing operation remains in place at the Cenotaph amid concerns there could be further tensions at the Remembrance Sunday service.

The event commemorates the end of the First World War and other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces.

Wreaths will be laid by members of the royal family, senior politicians and dignitaries.

Almost 10,000 veterans and 800 armed forces personnel from all three services will take part in a march-past.

They will be joined by thousands of members of the public who will line Whitehall to watch.

Among those marching will be nuclear test veterans, who for the first time will wear a medal acknowledging their contribution.

The medal -depicting an atom surrounded by olive branches – was given to people exposed to the effects of nuclear bombs during the UK’s testing programme after a 70 year wait for recognition.

Other marchers include 100-year-old World War II veterans and bereaved children as young as eight.

The service will also mark 70 years since the end of fighting in the Korean War and 20 years since the start of the UK’s military operations in Iraq.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said: ‘Recent events have served as a stark reminder that we cannot take the hard-earned peace we live in for granted, which is why I am honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the nation in the memory of all those that have lost their lives defending our country and the values we hold so close.

‘I am determined to ensure we never forget the ultimate sacrifice they have made.’

The number of officers on duty in London this weekend is double the usual amount, with 1,375 officers on Sunday, and the Cenotaph has a dedicated 24-hour police presence until the conclusion of Remembrance events.

Saturday’s Pro-Palestine march was calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, where more than 10,000 people have died since Hamas’s bloody attack on Israel on October 7 led to the country’s major retaliation.

Following the violence, an anti-racism leader condemned the Armistice Day clashes and said it marked a ‘dangerous new phase’ for the UK.

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