Charles will lay wreath at Cenotaph on behalf of Queen

The Prince of Wales will once again lead the nation in honouring the country’s war dead during the national service of remembrance.

The Queen has asked Charles to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on her behalf – the second successive year the heir to the throne will perform the duty.

Sunday’s open-air service will have added significance as this year is the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

A series of events have been staged throughout 2018 marking the milestone.

Prime Minister Theresa May and the Duke of Cambridge attended commemorations in France marking the Battle of Amiens, which signalled the beginning of the end of the 1914-18 War.

While a series of exhibitions at the Imperial War Museums’ Making A New World season have reflected on the impact the brutal killing fields of the conflict had in shaping the modern world.

During the cenotaph event, the Queen will view the service from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office building as she did last year.

After Charles has laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen, other floral tributes will be left by members of the royal family, senior figures from the Government, including Mrs May, and opposition party leaders and other figures from national life.

Charles’ new role is likely to be seen as an example of the subtle shift of head of state duties from the 92-year-old sovereign to the heir to the throne.

For the first time, a German leader will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph with president Frank-Walter Steinmeier performing the duty on behalf of his nation in a historic act of reconciliation.

The service will also be attended by the Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Duke of York and minor members of the monarchy.

An equerry will lay a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh, who has retired from public duties.

After the service, 10,000 people, chosen by ballot, will have the opportunity to pay their respects to all those that served in the First World War by taking part in the Nation’s Thank You procession past the Cenotaph.

During the day, church and other bells will ring out as they did at the end of the First World War – and a Westminster Abbey service will be held along with others in Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast, to give thanks for peace and those who returned.

In the evening the Queen, Charles and Camilla, the Cambridges and Harry and Meghan will attend the Abbey service.

On Saturday, the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance will be staged at the Royal Albert Hall – attended by the Queen and senior members of the royal family including Charles and Camilla, the Cambridges and Harry and Meghan.