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.
Attending the Royal British Legion's March Past the Cenotaph
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 2026 are allocated through service and unit associations.
If you would like to apply to march with an association, please contact us at [email protected]. We can then pass on your request to the relevant association point of contact.
The deadline to march as a new association in 2026 has now passed. If you would like to apply to march as a new association in 2027, please get in touch at [email protected].The deadline for submitting new association requests for 2027 is Friday 5th March 2027 at 11.59pm.
Attendance as an individual
In 2026, 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.
Registration is now open: Register as an Ex-Service Individual
The deadline to register is Monday 28th September 2026 at 11.59pm.
Please note that registering via the online form, does not guarantee a ticket to the event. The Remembrance Events Team will be in touch to inform you if your application has been successful.
Please be advised that those applying via this registration will be required to provide one of the following documents to verify their service status:
• Veterans Recognition (ID) Card
• Veterans UK Status Card
• Certificate of Service – this must include date of discharge
• Certificate of Discharge
• Veterans Railcard
• Merchant Mariners – a copy of the personal details page of your Discharge Book, along with the vessel names on which you served and the operation names and date.
If you do not have access to your service records, you can apply through the Ministry of Defence: Apply for your own records - GOV.UK
If your application is urgent, please state this in your application form so it can be prioritised.
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:
- 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
- Wives, husbands, partners or civil partners
- Siblings
- Parents
- Children
Please note, this is a veterans’ parade, therefore currently serving Armed Forces personnel, including full time and part time reservists, 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.
FAQs
What is the dress code?
Can I wear medals?
You can apply for or replace a medal or veteran's badge.
Can I turn up on the day without prior registration?
Can my association lay a wreath at the Cenotaph?
You can purchase association badge wreaths through our Supporter Care team. You can find further information on our Poppy Wreaths page.
Can my carer march with me?
Can serving personnel march?
