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As it happenedended1541957578

Remembrance Day: World leaders, royals and the public mark 100th anniversary of the Armistice

10,000 people march through London to honour the fallen

Zamira Rahim
Sunday 11 November 2018 16:46 GMT
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World leaders, including Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, join for Armistice centenary in Arc de Triomphe ceremony

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Thousands of people across the world gathered in capitals, beside monuments and in front of their leaders to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Services of remembrance were held in Australia, New Zealand and Commonwealth nations, as tens of thousands of people paused to reflect on the innumerable lives given to a conflict a century ago.

Some 12,000 people, including veterans and serving soldiers, gathered for a national ceremony of remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Commemorations started in the UK at dawn with hundreds of bagpipers across the country playing a lament at 6am.

In Paris, at the biggest of the events marking the occasion, over 100 world leaders and dignitaries walked towards the Arc de Triomphe to stand before the grave of the unknown soldier.

French president Emmanuel Macron made a speech warning against the dangers of nationalism, in what was interpreted as a veiled criticism of US President Donald Trump, who was among the gathered dignitaries.

Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin and Justin Trudeau were also present.

"Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism," Mr Macron said.

"Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. In saying 'Our interests first, whatever happens to the others,' you erase the most precious thing a nation can have, that which makes it live, that which causes it to be great and that which is most important: Its moral values."

In the UK Prince Charles laid a wreath at the cenotaph in London on behalf of his mother.

The Queen watched from a nearby balcony, flanked by the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall.

In an historic first Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president, also laid a wreath during the ceremony.

It is the first time that a German representative has done so.

Officials said that Mr Steinmeier's presence during the ceremony was a sign of the friendship that now exists between Germany and Britain.

Following the National Service of Remembrance at the cenotaph, 10,000 people marched past the monument and through London, in tribute to those who served in the First World War.

At 7pm on Sunday 1,000 beacons across the UK will also be lit to mark the occasion.

Remembrance ceremonies were also held in Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and on a number of South Pacific Islands.

If you want to read how Remembrance Day unfolded live, please see what was our live coverage below:

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Welcome to our live coverage of Remembrance Sunday 2018

matt.payton111 November 2018 08:45
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A number of events are being held across the world this year to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War on 11 November 2018

matt.payton111 November 2018 08:50
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matt.payton111 November 2018 09:00
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Thousands of people in Australia have marked the centenary of the Armistice.

Crowds gathered for a national service of remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where Scott Morrison, the country's prime minister, led a minute's silence at 11 am. 

Around 31,000 Australians served overseas during the First World War, most of whom fought on the Western Front alongside British soldiers and their allies.

matt.payton111 November 2018 09:08
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Emmanuel Macron has welcomed dozens of world leaders at the French presidential palace. 

Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, Angela Merkel and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres are among the dignitaries who are in Paris ahead of a ceremony to mark Armistice Day. 

Over 60 leaders will appear at the Arc de Triomphe to commemorate the moment World War One came to an end. 

matt.payton111 November 2018 09:23
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Every year the Royal British Legion sells red paper poppies to raise money for servicemen and women.

Read our piece explaining why we wear them:

matt.payton111 November 2018 09:30
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At least 1000 bagpipers across the world will play "Battle's O'er", a traditional lament, to mark Remembrance Day. 

In the UK the music rang out at 6am at locations around the country, including at Bristol Cathedral.

matt.payton111 November 2018 09:46
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matt.payton111 November 2018 09:51
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World leaders in Paris have missed their chance to commemorate the exact moment World War I ended 100 years ago.

The war officially ended at 11 am on 11 November 1918.

Donald Trump headed toward the Arc de Triomphe as did buses filled with world leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and Justin Trudeau, but the group were running late. 

Many of the leaders, holding black umbrellas, stood in a line short of the monument at 11 am.

matt.payton111 November 2018 10:14
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Over 66 global leaders have gathered in Paris at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, as bells rang across the city to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day. 

Fighter jets passed overhead as the leaders walked to the monument. 

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived separately for the commemorations, due to security arrangements.

matt.payton111 November 2018 10:23

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