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The Queen leads the tributes to the fallen on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph

9th November 2008

The Queen led the nation as it paid its respects to Britain's war dead at the Cenotaph today on Remembrance Sunday.

Her Majesty laid a wreath at the base of the monument and stood in silence, and was then followed by other members of the Royal Family, including The Prince of Wales and Prince William, and political and faith leaders.

Prince Harry marked the occasion with his regiment in Windsor.

This year's event marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War. It was also the first time that the Territorial Army, celebrating it's centennial year, had been included in the wreath laying ceremony.

In chilly autumnal conditions The Queen, dressed in black, emerged from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Whitehall, London, shortly before 11am accompanied by family members.

As Big Ben chimed the hour a cannon was fired from nearby Horse Guard Parade to mark the beginning of a two-minute silence.

The crowd of thousands observed the moment immaculately, with the only sound observed being that of the occasional camera shutter.

After a second gun marked the end of the silence, The Queen approached the Cenotaph, laying a wreath and pausing for a moment's reflection before joining family members.

The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and Prince William, an officer in the Blues and Royals, followed in making the gesture, each saluting as they did so. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, each then laid their wreaths.

Those who were able to make it had to brave wintry conditions, but thankfully the rain held off during the service.

Afterwards, hundreds of ex-servicemen marched past the Cenotaph after the dignitaries had retired to nearby Government buildings to watch the parade.

War veterans, many elderly and frail, marched proudly past wearing their medals and regimental berets.

Stuart Gendall, spokesman for the Royal British Legion, said: "It is the 90th anniversary of the end of World War One, supposedly the war to end all wars, and yet here we are today and conflicts are still ongoing.

"121 young men and women have lost their lives in Afghanistan."

He added that it was important for the nation to come together and remember all those who have laid down their lives fighting for their country.