KEY POINTS

  • Queen Elizabeth led the Remembrance Sunday celebration with the royal family members
  • The event was scaled-back and was closed to the public

  • The military veterans were not able to attend the event due to the COVID-19 restrictions

Queen Elizabeth joined forces with the other members of the royal family to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.

The Queen led the scaled-back service for Remembrance Sunday with Prince Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton at the Cenotaph in London's Whitehall. Also in attendance were Camilla Parker Bowles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, former UK prime ministers Theresa May, David Cameron, Tony Blair and Sir John Major, the BBC reported.

They observed social distancing and the service was closed off to the public for the first time. Camilla and Middleton were photographed on the balcony with a safe distance between them. Following a two-minute silence, wreaths were laid by Prince Charles, Prince William and the Prime Minister.

Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duchess of Cambridge dressed in black with poppies. Meanwhile, Prince Charles and Prince William were in uniform.

General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, believed that this year's Remembrance Sunday would be a lonely experience to some veterans due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The great number of military veterans who typically march past the Cenotaph after the wreath-laying was skipped.

"They traditionally have had the opportunity to get together and talk about their memories and their reflections, but equally to strut their stuff," he said on BBC One's "Andrew Marr Show."

Usually, 10,000 people gather at the Cenotaph in Whitehall for the remembrance service, but it was closed to the public this year. Instead of gathering together at the Cenotaph for the service, the public was encouraged to share their family histories and messages of remembrance online using the hashtag #WeWillRememberThem.

Wales is under a national lockdown and outdoor events with over 30 people are not permitted. Parades are also not allowed.

A post shared by instagram

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared some photos from the event on Instagram. In one post, they shared a moving message.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them," the message read.

Queen Elizabeth II had laid a wreath on Britain's Tomb of the Unknown Warrior earlier in the week, marking 100 years since the remains of an unidentified soldier were brought back from northern France
Queen Elizabeth II had laid a wreath on Britain's Tomb of the Unknown Warrior earlier in the week, marking 100 years since the remains of an unidentified soldier were brought back from northern France POOL / PETER NICHOLLS
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