Remembrance Sunday is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism.
National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph
The National Service of Remembrance, held at The Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday, provides the nation with a physical reminder of all those who have served and sacrificed, with British and Commonwealth soldiers, sailors, airmen and women represented, together with members of the emergency services and civilians, ensuring that no-one is forgotten.
Members of the Royal Family will pay tribute alongside Members of the Cabinet, Opposition Party leaders, former Prime Ministers, as well as the Mayor of London and other ministers.
Representatives of the Armed Forces, Fishing Fleets and Merchant Air and Navy will be there, as well as faith communities and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries.
How can I take part in the Cenotaph Parade?
Registration for the 2024 Cenotaph Parade has now closed. If you would like to march in the 2025 Cenotaph Parade, please see below:
Each year, veterans participate in the March Past. Places to take part in the Cenotaph March Past on Remembrance Sunday 2025 will be allocated through service and unit associations. If you are a member of an association, please get in touch with them for further details on how to apply for a place. If you are unable to contact your association, please contact us at: [email protected]
This year, we continued to offer any remaining unused tickets to eligible veterans who are not members or affiliated to a service or unit association, so that they are afforded the opportunity to march in the Cenotaph Parade. This was done on a first come first served basis and was restricted to UK and Commonwealth veterans from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy. Registration is now closed for the 2024 Cenotaph Parade, but please keep an eye on this page in early 2025 for further information.
The deadline for new associations to apply to march at the 2024 Cenotaph Parade has now passed. If you would like to apply for your association to participate in the 2025 Cenotaph Parade, please contact us at [email protected].
The number of people who can take part in the March Past is limited to 10,000 people due to capacity restrictions and the amount of time participants can reasonably be expected to stand.
ELIGIBILITY
Associations are required to allocate tickets to individuals who reflect the depth and breadth of the veteran community using the Eligibility Criteria below:
- Ex-service personnel from the UK and the Commonwealth who have served the Crown.
- Retired emergency services personnel from the UK and Commonwealth who have served the Crown.
- Partners or first-generation family members of those who served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces and have died. This only includes the following:
- Wives, husbands, partners or civil partners
- Siblings
- Parents
- Children
- Those marching on behalf of their organisations that have historically played a significant role in times of conflict, supporting the Armed Forces community or who are key organisations in Remembrance.
- A carer of a veteran requiring wheelchair assistance
Please note, this is a veterans’ parade, therefore serving Armed Forces personnel are not permitted to take part. Civilians cannot take part unless they meet the eligibility criteria above.
As any carer accompanying a veteran will be included within the 10,000-attendance cap; where appropriate, the option of one veteran assisting another for the duration of the dispersal should be considered.
If you wish to attend the service as a spectator, further information will be made available on the website of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport in due course.
If you have any queries regarding the Cenotaph Dispersal, please contact the Remembrance Events Team by email at [email protected].