President Frank-Walter Steinmeier became the first German leader to take part in Britain’s national service of remembrance yesterday, 100 years since the end of World War I.
He laid a wreath at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London alongside Prime Minister Theresa May, who chose not to join other world leaders marking the centenary of the Armistice in Paris.
Across Britain, individuals and communities held two minutes of silence at 11am (1100 GMT) to remember the end of the four-year conflict which claimed around 18mn lives.
In London, the moment was marked by the chiming of Big Ben, which has been largely silent since renovation work began in August 2017 but which still sounds for important national events.
Prince Charles laid the first wreath of red poppies at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who watched from a nearby balcony.
The Palace announced yesterday morning that the Duke of Edinburgh could not attend the service and a wreath was laid on his behalf by an equerry.
Steinmeier followed with his wreath, in a unique and highly symbolic act marking the reconciliation between the once warring nations.
Later yesterday, the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend a special service at Westminster Abbey, alongside Steinmeier.
Senior royals, diplomats, military leaders and politicians also paid their respects at the memorial to all British and Commonwealth service personnel who have died in combat since 1914.
They were followed by the traditional march past by military veterans, their medals glinting in the sunshine, as a crowd of thousands looked on.
“It’s really, really poignant being here,” said Sarah Bligh, a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy who attended the commemorations.
“My great-grandfather served in World War I along with his three brothers, so I’ve just been thinking about them a lot.”
Toby Foster, a British army captain with 4th Battalion The Rifles, said he would also be thinking about his grandfather and great-grandfather, who were navigators in Lancaster Bombers in World War II.
 “But (I) also pause to think about those guys who are still on operations today and just hoping that they’re staying safe wherever they are,” he said.
 The ceremony culminated with a procession by 10,000 people past the Cenotaph. 
 They were allocated spaces on “The Nation’s Thank You” march through a public ballot, and many were direct descendants of those who served in the war.




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