Remembrance Day 2022: Order of service announced for Cenotaph ceremony in London next Sunday

Remembrance Day takes place on Friday (November 11) this year, to celebrate not only the day World War One ended but to pay tribute to all those who died in combat. The two minute silence on the national day of remembrance,  takes place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, with the annual Poppy appeal carried out in the run up to the day.

Remembrance Day generally happens over two days, honouring those who have fallen in the line of duty, with the first two minute silence occurring on Friday (November 11) at 11am, a tradition that dates back to 1919 when King George requested the notion. “The thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead” he stated when asked about the national moment of reflection and silence.

On the second day of reflection, Remembrance Sunday, the eyes of the world focus on London where the parade to the Cenotaph and ceremony takes place in Whitehall. Previous years had seen Queen Elizabeth II lay a wreath on the Cenotaph, but this year King Charles III will be marking his first Remembrance Sunday since taking the throne.

Representatives of the Armed Forces, Fishing Fleets and Merchant Air and Navy will also be in attendance at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, as well as faith communities and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries. Another two minutes silence will be held during the event at 11am next Sunday (November 13).

45 millions poppies are sold every year in the run up to Remembrance Sunday, chosen due to the flowers being one of the first to grow on the battlefields of World War One. The red symbolises hope after the conflict and they have been used as a symbol since 1920. Any money donated during the Poppy Appeal goes to aid the veterans of the armed forces.

Order of service for Remembrance Day 2022 in London

The Government’s website has released the order of service for the ceremony in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday when parades will have made their way to the Cenotaph for the national service, to be screened live on television.

• 8am: Whitehall opens to the public. Space will be limited. Please allow time to clear the police security procedures.
• 9am: The Royal British Legion (RBL) detachments form up on Horse Guards Parade and on Whitehall.
• From 10.30am: All detachments form up on the Cenotaph.
• From 10.50am: Participants process out onto the Cenotaph.
• 11am: National two-minute silence marked by the firing of guns from King’s Troop on Horse Guards Parade. Cenotaph Service commences.
• 11.25: Cenotaph Service concludes and The Royal British Legion detachments disperse past the Cenotaph.

Can I attend the memorial service at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday?

The GOV.UK website states no tickets or passes are needed for the event and the public are welcome to watch the ceremony from the pavements along Whitehall and Parliament Street. However, entry may be limited if the area becomes full.

Temporary public toilets will be located in Whitehall Place. First aid facilities, provided by St John’s Ambulance, will be available at various locations along Whitehall, whilst their personnel will also be patrolling the area. Please note all of Remembrance Sunday is a No Drone Zone and the use of drones (including quadcopters/ helicopters/ fixed wing) in this area and all surrounding roads and park areas is strictly prohibited at all times.

There will be video screens north of the Cenotaph, near the green directly in front of the statue of Field Marshal Montgomery, and in the lay-by outside Dover House (between Horse Guards and Downing Street) and close to the junction of Whitehall Place. There is also a screen south of the Cenotaph on the corner of King Charles Street.

You can watch the event on television on the BBC, Sky and ITV live from 8am. The National Service of Remembrance will also be broadcast live on YouTube by the Deparment for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.