Royal family attend remembrance service at Westminster Abbey

The Queen arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend a National Service to mark the centenary of the Armistice Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

The Queen and President of Germany heard prayers for a time of “harmony” during a service at Westminster Abbey marking the centenary of the Armistice.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the Queen were joined by the Prime Minister, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the remembrance service.

Dean of Westminster, Dr John Hall, prayed for a time when conflict was “transformed into friendship and collaboration”.

The Queen leaves Westminster Abbey after the service Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

The Queen, dressed in purple, and Mr Steinmeier watched as flowers were laid at the grave of The Unknown Warrior, later shaking hands at the end of the service.

In his bidding, the dean said: “As we mark today the centenary of the Armistice that brought to an end the First World War, we remember with sorrow the sacrifice of lives on all sides of the conflict and the suffering of the devastated and bereaved.

“We reflect on how people were led into the war and how the war came to an end and on the uneasy peace that followed with its continuing suffering and the disruption of families and ways of life.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender arrive at the abbey Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

“Above all, in our remembrance and reflection, we hope for a time when aggression between peoples and nations is transformed into friendship and collaboration, when all may live side by side in mutual encouragement and harmony and the weapons of war are transformed into the instruments of peace.”

In an address, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: “We look back at the ruins and find that they have been rebuilt.

“We look forward, in a very different world and society, however great the challenges, and see that through the faithfulness of God and our loving obedience, conflict has been transformed, and enemies reconciled, and that is hope for the world.”

The Prince of Wales attended the service Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

Actress Sophie Okonedo read from the diaries of social reformer Beatrice Webb, dated November 11 1918.

The diary entry said: “PEACE! London to-day is a pandemonium of noise and revelry, soldiers and flappers being most in evidence.

“Multitudes are making all the row they can, and in spite of depressing fog and steady rain, discords of sound and struggling, rushing beings and vehicles fill the streets.

“Paris, I imagine, will be more spontaneous and magnificent in its rejoicing. Berlin, also, is reported to be elated, having got rid not only of the war but also of its oppressors. The peoples are everywhere rejoicing.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the abbey Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

Actor John Simm read a passage from John Jackson, Private 12768: Memoir Of A Tommy.

He read: “The news must have been welcome at home, and in most countries of the world, but no non-combatants could have any idea what the message meant to the men in the trenches.

“I think we were slow to believe it could really be true after the long years of fighting.

“It was strange to think, and know, that once more we could move about fully exposed without fear of being shot at.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex leaving Westminster Abbey Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

The choir of Westminster Abbey sang throughout the service, and readings were delivered by Theresa May and Prince Charles.

Mr Steinmeier delivered his reading in German near to the end of the service.