LONDON, November 7, 2026 â Britain will fall silent at 11am on Sunday, November 8, as thousands gather in central London for Remembrance Sunday 2026, honouring military personnel who died in the two world wars and subsequent conflicts.
King Charles III is expected to lead the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, joined by members of the Royal Family, political leaders, military representatives and Commonwealth dignitaries. Around 10,000 veterans and eligible participants are expected to join the traditional march past.
Remembrance Sunday 2026: Full Schedule and Start Times
The national two-minute silence begins at 11am GMT on Sunday, November 8, followed by prayers, wreath-laying and the veterans’ parade.
| Time (GMT) | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:00am | Public viewing areas open |
| 10:50am | Participants move towards the Cenotaph |
| 11:00am | National two-minute silence |
| 11:02â11:25am | Remembrance service and wreath-laying |
| 11:25am | Veterans’ march past begins |
| 12:30pm | Expected parade dismissal |
Big Ben’s chimes and ceremonial gunfire from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at Horse Guards Parade traditionally mark the silence. The parade’s finishing time is approximate.
Cenotaph Parade 2026: Full London Route
Veterans assemble at Horse Guards Parade before passing through Horse Guards Arch towards Whitehall, where the Cenotaph stands.
Following the national service, the procession marches past the memorial, continues along Whitehall, turns right onto Great George Street and then right onto Horse Guards Road.
A member of the Royal Family traditionally takes the salute before participants return to Horse Guards Parade. The National Anthem is played before dismissal.
Full route: Horse Guards Parade â Horse Guards Arch â Whitehall â Cenotaph â Great George Street â Horse Guards Road â Horse Guards Parade.
How to Watch Remembrance Sunday 2026 Live
BBC One will broadcast Remembrance Sunday: The Cenotaph from 10:15am GMT, with coverage also available on BBC iPlayer, subject to regional restrictions.
ITV and Sky are also listed among broadcasters covering the commemorations. The Sun has announced a livestream of the parade.
Viewers should check local listings for confirmed broadcast availability and programme times.
Public Viewing Areas, Tickets and Road Closures
Members of the public can attend the national ceremony without tickets. Whitehall opens to spectators at 8am, although designated viewing areas have limited capacity.
Large viewing screens are planned near Dover House and King Charles Street. An accessible viewing enclosure will be available on Parliament Street near King Charles Street on a first-come, first-served basis.
Great George Street will be closed to public access, with alternative pedestrian access via Storey’s Gate. Visitors should expect transport disruption, security screening and crowded stations.
The UK government’s official Remembrance Sunday guidance provides visitor information, accessibility arrangements and security advice.
Who Can Join the Cenotaph Parade?
The march past is reserved for accredited participants, including eligible veterans, military organisations and qualifying family members of deceased service personnel.
Members of the public cannot join the procession without appropriate accreditation but may watch from designated spectator areas.
Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day Explained
Remembrance Sunday falls on the second Sunday of November, while Armistice Day is observed annually on November 11, commemorating the 1918 armistice that ended fighting on the Western Front.
The Cenotaph, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and unveiled in permanent stone in 1920, means “empty tomb”. No one is buried inside the memorial, which honours those who died in war, including people without known graves.
Across the Commonwealth, remembrance traditions vary. Canada’s Remembrance Day opening and closure arrangements differ by province, while Australia’s Remembrance Day flag protocol sets out how flags are displayed on November 11.
For those attending Sunday’s London ceremony, arriving early, allowing time for security checks and checking transport updates will help avoid missing the 11am silence.
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