Second world war veterans outnumber former PMs at Remembrance Sunday service, possibly for the last time

Summary

Second world war veterans outnumbered former prime ministers at the national service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in central London, in what could be the last time this happens. Nine former prime ministers joined King Charles, and Andy Burnham took part for the first time. About a dozen veterans from that conflict attended, down from 20 last year. The oldest is Jeffrey Brereton, who served in the RAF. He volunteered in 1940, at the age of 19, and served as a mechanic on Hurricane aircraft during the Battle of Britain.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   8 Nov 2026, 13:05 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that second world war veterans outnumbered former prime ministers at the Cenotaph national service of remembrance, possibly for the last time, with Andy Burnham taking part for the first time alongside nine former premiers and about a dozen veterans attending, down from 20 last year.