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.
What is the Cenotaph Parade?
The Cenotaph Parade is a march past of 10,000 veterans and eligible participants that takes place every year on Remembrance Sunday following the National Act of Remembrance, led by HM The King. The Parade forms up in columns initially on Horse Guards Parade before moving through Horse Guards Arch to form on Whitehall in time for HM The King arriving at the Cenotaph.
The March Past parades down Whitehall, passing the Cenotaph, before turning right on Great George Street and right again on Horse Guards Road, where the salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family. All columns are then reformed on Horse Guards Parade, following which the National Anthem is played, and the parade is dismissed.
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.
Attendance as part of an association
Each year, veterans and eligible participants march in the Cenotaph Parade. 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 a unit or service association, please get in touch with them for further details on how to apply for a place. If you are not a member of an association but would like to march with an association, you can contact us for further details at [email protected]
Applications for new associations to march in the 2025 Cenotaph Parade are open and will close on 20 February.
If you would like to apply for your association to participate in the 2025 Cenotaph Parade, please contact us at [email protected] Please note that applying does not guarantee your association a place to march in the parade.
Attendance as an individual
Alternatively, we will continue to offer any remaining unused tickets to eligible veterans who are not members or affiliated to a service or unit associations, so that they are afforded the opportunity to march in the Cenotaph Parade. This will be done on a first come first served basis and will be restricted to UK and Commonwealth veterans from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy. Please keep an eye on our website in early 2025 for updates.
ELIGIBILITY
Associations are required to allocate tickets to individuals who reflect the depth and breadth of the veteran community using the following Eligibility Criteria:
- 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.
Please be aware that the number of people who can take part in the March Past is limited to 10,000 people due to capacity restrictions on Horse Guards Parade. If a carer is accompanying a veteran, they count as part of the 10,000 attendance-cap. Where possible, fellow veterans should assist one another to afford maximum opportunity for veteran attendance.
Public viewing areas
If you would like to watch the Cenotaph Parade, there will be viewing areas, including accessible areas, available for spectators. Further information will be available on the website of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport in due course: Department for Culture, Media and Sport - GOV.UK – Please note there are no public viewing areas on Horse Guards Parade.
FAQs
What is the dress code?
Smart civilian clothing should be worn, and full size medals, decorations or ribbons if appropriate. Please consider the weather conditions and time of year and dress accordingly. Service uniform is not permitted. The Cenotaph March Past is a veterans march past and those participating are not to wear uniform irrespective of service status. (Medals and berets may be worn in keeping with policy and tradition).
Can I wear medals?
Yes, if you are wearing your own medals these should be worn on the left-hand side of your chest. If you are wearing a relatives’ medals, these should be worn on the right-hand side.
Can I turn up on the day without prior registration?
It is a police requirement that all participants marching in the Cenotaph Parade have registered and completed security accreditation via the Royal British Legion in advance. The registration window for this year's Cenotaph Parade closed on 22nd August. Any individuals who arrive on the day who have not registered and completed their security accreditation will not be able to participate or enter the grounds.
Can I apply to march as a new association?
Yes - we will be reviewing new association requests in the coming months, the findings of which will be communicated in early 2025. If you would like to march in the 2025 Cenotaph Parade as a new association, please contact us at [email protected]
Can my association lay a wreath at the Cenotaph?
Yes - as you pass the Cenotaph Parade during the March Past there will be ‘Wreath Takers’ who you can pass your wreath to, and wreath layers who will lay it on your behalf of your association. As the parade needs to keep moving, individual and associations do not physically lay their respective wreaths.
You can purchase association badge wreaths through our Supporter Care team. You can find further information on our website here: Poppy Wreaths | Poppy Merchandise | Royal British Legion
Can I march in memory of my grandparent?
The eligibility criteria were reviewed following the 2023 Cenotaph Parad to only include first generation relatives. The Cenotaph Parade is a veteran’s march past, and it has a limited capacity of 10,000 places, so the eligibility criteria are used to maintain a fair allocation and wide representation of veterans. Unfortunately, including grandchildren in the eligibility criteria would hugely increase the number of registrations, which would result in a lower number of veterans being able to take part.
Can my carer march with me?
Yes, carers can accompany those needing assistance but please be reminded that all carers must be included in your association’s allocation of tickets and are not an additional headcount. Where possible and practical to do so, it would be advisable to have a fellow veteran assisting. Associations oversee ticket allocation, so we would advise you to contact your association point of contact to inquire.
Can serving personnel march?
No, serving personnel are not eligible to march in the Cenotaph Parade if they do not meet the eligibility criteria. Every year we endeavour to ensure that the march past remains a veteran march past and we have consulted with our colleagues at the Ministry of Defence. The serving community is represented by the formed contingent at the Cenotaph under the command of GOC LONDIST.
