Nation falls silent to mark Armistice Day

Watch as silence falls around the country to mark Armistice Day

The nation fell silent on Friday to mark the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Poignant services were held across the country, with a two-minute silence observed at 11am to remember those who have died in military conflicts.

Armed forces veterans during an Armistice Day service at Poppyscotland's Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh. Credit: PA

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the National Memorial Arboretum Armistice Day Service in Staffordshire, while services were also held in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Portsmouth.

The Met Office said there were “exceptionally mild” conditions across the UK as it predicted that Friday could be the warmest Armistice Day on record.

Temperatures across the four nations are in the mid-teens.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester take part in an Armistice Day service at the Armed Forces Memorial in Alrewas, Staffordshire. Credit: PA

Armistice Day comes as the Foreign Secretary condemned Russia for bringing bloodshed back to Europe.

In Edinburgh, the city’s depute lord provost, councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, joined veterans, serving personnel and the public to pay tribute at the city’s Garden of Remembrance.

The short open-air service led by Legion Scotland National Padre Rev Dr Karen Campbell was followed by the laying of wreaths before the One O’Clock Gun fires at 11am from Edinburgh Castle.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly attended a remembrance service hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

France's President Emmanuel Macron attends a remembrance ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe. Credit: AP

Mr Cleverly said: “Since 1918 we have marked Armistice Day and paid tribute to the brave men and women who have served to give us peace.

“Yet as we salute our troops this year, this peace has been shattered by a Russian aggressor."

Saint-Cyr Military School cadets attend a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Credit: AP

“As we honour the war dead of the past, we also remember Ukraine’s fight for freedom today," Mr Cleverly continued.

“The UK stands steadfast with our friends and allies in defence of freedom and democracy in Ukraine and I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with an historic ally in Paris today.”

City workers attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloyd's of London to mark Armistice Day. Credit: PA

Mr Cleverly will also meet with French foreign minister Catherine Colonna.

They are expected to discuss the two countries’ support for Ukraine, joint work to improve energy security and illegal migration, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said.

They will also discuss preparations for next year’s UK-France summit, it added.

The Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiegne to end the First World War in 1918.

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