King will lead Remembrance Day service at Cenotaph
King will lead Remembrance Day service at Cenotaph with wreaths laid by members of the Royal Family and senior politicians – after 126 pro-Palestine and right-wing counter protesters were arrested during march on Armistice Day
King Charles will lead a Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph just hours after more than 100 people were arrested during protests in London.
The King will lead today’s events to mark the end of the First World War, which will also see members of the Royal Family and senior politicians lay weaths at the base of the war memorial.
Around 10,000 veterans and 800 armed forces personnel from will take part in a march past the Cenotaph, while a two minute silence will take place at 11am.
It comes after the Metropolitan Police said it made 126 arrests after far-right groups gathered to ‘protect the Cenotaph’ from a major pro-Palestine march during Armistice day on Saturday.
Nine officers were injured after they were pelted with bottles, cans and metal fences while preventing a crowd of mainly far-right football hooligans from reaching the Cenotaph.
King Charles (pictured) will lead a Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph just hours after more than 100 people were arrested during protests in London
The King will lead today’s events to mark the end of the First Word War, which will also members of the Royal Family and senior politicians lay weaths at the base of the war memorial (pictured)
Far-right groups who gathered to ‘protect the Cenotaph’ from a major pro-Palestine march clash with police in London on Armistice Day
Scuffles broke out as police attempted to stop a crowd of people carrying St George’s flags marching along Embankment towards Whitehall, where the Cenotaph is located, shortly after 10am.
The group, which had been chanting ‘England ’til I die’ pushed through the police barrier, with some shouting ‘let’s have them’ as officers hit out with batons.
READ MORE: Scotland Yard says ‘intense debate’ before Armistice Day protests ‘increased community tensions’ as critics slam Suella Braverman for ‘whipping up division’ – while ex-minister blasts Met for allowing far-right thugs into Whitehall ‘to protect Cenotaph’
Further clashes with police took place in Chinatown with counter-protesters chanting: ‘You’re not English any more’ towards officers.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the ugly scenes on Armistice Day ‘utterly disrespects’ the spirit of remembrance. He said he would meet Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to hold him ‘accountable’ for dealing with the disturbances.
Pictures showed rival groups of demonstrators clashing in Trafalgar Square, with one counter-protester seen wielding a stick – as Michael Gove was hassled by pro-Palestinians shouting ‘shame on you’ as he tried to leave Victoria station.
Mr Sunak said in a statement: ‘I condemn the violent, wholly unacceptable scenes we have seen today from the EDL (English Defence League) and associated groups and Hamas sympathisers attending the National March for Palestine. The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.’
He said their actions do ‘not defend the honour of our Armed Forces, but utterly disrespects them’, adding: ‘That is true for EDL thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing on today’s protest.’
Mr Sunak said he would be meeting the Met chief, adding: ‘All criminality must be met with the full and swift force of the law.
‘That is what I told the Met Police Commissioner on Wednesday, that is what they are accountable for and that is what I expect.’
A man holding a stick was pictured among a group of counter-protesters in Trafalgar Square yesterday evening
There were clashes throughout the day after hundreds of far-right thugs gathered in Whitehall to ‘protect the Cenotaph’
In this photo counter-protesters are seen on the left and pro-Palestinians on the right
Police arrest a man outside The Silver Cross pub on Whitehall on a day of chaos in central London yesterday
Michael Gove was hassled by pro-Palestine protesters as he tried to leave Victoria station
Meanwhile, an emotional King Charles was last night joined by a host of high-profile royals as statues of his late parents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were unveiled at a special festival of remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
The life-sized bronze artworks, commemorating the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to the Royal Albert Hall, were erected as part of the building’s 150th anniversary.
Charles was joined by Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance, with Kate wearing one of the late Queen’s pearl necklaces.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent were also in attendance.
As they took their seats, Charles was seen waving to the packed hall.
Mr Sunak observed the event from a box to the left of the royals alongside his wife Akshata Murty while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer sat in a separate box to the right with his wife Lady Victoria.
The event saw the King unveil the statue of his late mother, while Camilla pulled back the curtain on the bust of Prince Philip.
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