UK

Millions to fall silent this weekend to mark centenary of the Armistice

British prime minister Theresa May and French president Emmanuel Macron visit the Thiepval cemetery as part of ceremonies to mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice, in Thiepval, northern France Picture by Eliot Blondet/AP
British prime minister Theresa May and French president Emmanuel Macron visit the Thiepval cemetery as part of ceremonies to mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice, in Thiepval, northern France Picture by Eliot Blondet/AP British prime minister Theresa May and French president Emmanuel Macron visit the Thiepval cemetery as part of ceremonies to mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice, in Thiepval, northern France Picture by Eliot Blondet/AP

Millions of people will fall silent this weekend to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Events will take place throughout Britain and Ireland for the centenary of the Armistice.

Queen Elizabeth and senior members of the royal family will attend the annual Festival of Remembrance at London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night, which will commemorate all those who have lost their lives in conflicts.

On Sunday, Prince Charles will honour Britain's war dead during a service of remembrance.

Senior figures from the British government, including Prime Minister Theresa May, and opposition party leaders and other figures will also lay wreaths.

For the first time, a German leader will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier performing the duty on behalf of his nation in a historic act of reconciliation.

After the service, 10,000 people, chosen by ballot, will have the opportunity to pay their respects to all those who served in the First World War by taking part in the Nation's Thank You procession past the Cenotaph.

During the day, church and other bells will ring out as they did at the end of the First World War – and a Westminster Abbey service will be held along with others in Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast, to give thanks for peace and those who returned.

Battle's Over, a series of hundreds of local events to mark the centenary of the Armistice, will also take place on Sunday.

Pipers will play, beacons will be lit and church bells will ring in all corners of the UK and around the world as communities pay tribute to the First World War fallen.

Described as a nation's tribute, Battle's Over has been in the planning for four years and will see hundreds of locally-organised events mark the centenary.

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will again be a focus of reflection, with up to 6,000 people expected to gather.