Members of Britain’s armed forces fighting in Afghanistan joined Queen Elizabeth today for Remembrance Sunday services.
The queen was the first to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall to commemorate those servicemen and women killed in all conflicts since the first World War.
Thousands of miles away, Prince William, an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, joined the military congregation at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province for their own event.
The second-in-line to the throne laid a floral tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in all conflicts.
The queen stood metres from the Cenotaph eyes fixed on the memorial while the
Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, Princess Royal and Duke of Kent stood behind her. behind the sovereign stood her family in a line.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, opposition leader Ed Miliband, leaders of other parties, High Commissioners from Commonwealth countries and defence chiefs also attended.
The crowd of thousands, including many veterans, also watched in silence.
Soldiers from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a round from nearby Horse Guards Parade which echoed around Whitehall to signal the end of the silence.
As the artillery blast faded Buglers of the Royal Marines sounded the haunting melody of The Last Post, which traditionally signalled the end of a soldier's day.
Mr Cameron led the politicians and diplomats in placing floral tributes at the memorial and was followed by many other groups.
PA