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.
RBL 2024 Order of March
How can I take part in the Cenotaph Parade?
Registration for the 2024 Cenotaph Parade has now closed. 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.
If you would like to march in the 2025 Cenotaph Parade, please see below:
Attendance as part of an association
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]
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].
Attendance as an individual
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 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].
Rail Travel on Remembrance Sunday
The Rail Delivery Group has agreed travel arrangements for Remembrance Sunday events this year for serving military personnel and veterans in line with previous years. Train operating companies can offer the following free travel:
Submariner’s Remembrance Service:
- One Standard Class Return journey between a ‘home’ station in Great Britain and any London Terminal.
- Travel is permitted to any London Terminal station on either Saturday 2 or Sunday 3 November, returning on Sunday 3 November only.
Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph:
- One Standard Class Return journey between a ‘home’ station in Great Britain and any London Terminal.
- Travel is permitted to any London Terminal station on either Saturday 9 or Sunday 10 November, returning on Sunday 10 November only.
Rest of Great Britain:
- As in previous years, free return travel to attend a Service of Remembrance outside of London will be offered on Sunday 10 November only.
As usual, free travel is allowed for current serving Armed Forces personnel in uniform or serving military personnel and veterans on production of the following:
- a current MOD90 Ministry of Defence-issued identity card (see examples below);
- a Veterans Railcard, Veterans Oyster card, Ministry of Defence-issued Veterans ID or other form of identification showing the customer is a veteran (e.g., proof of pension).
As in previous years, this does not apply to companions/spouses or dependents and free travel is not permitted on any other day.
There is no planned track work for the London Underground. Please note planned closures on other lines below:
London Overground
Saturday 9 November + Sunday 10 November: New Cross Gate to Crystal Palace and West Croydon London Overground
Sunday 10 November: Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction
Elizabeth line
Sunday 10 November: Reduced service between West Drayton and Maidenhead and at Heathrow Terminal 4
For more information, please visit Transport for London.
