Abbey marks the Centenary of the Armistice

Sunday, 11th November 2018

Abbey marks the Centenary of the Armistice

Her Majesty The Queen and His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier The President of the Federal Republic of Germany attended A Service to mark the Centenary of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 11th November 2018.

Her Majesty was accompanied by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, HRH The Duke of Kent and HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

The service was led by The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall.

At the start of the service HM The Queen and HE The President of the Federal Republic of Germany laid fresh flowers at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

In the Bidding, The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said:

As we mark today the centenary of the Armistice that brought to an end the First World War, we remember with sorrow the sacrifice of lives on all sides of the conflict and the suffering of the devastated and bereaved.

Sophie Okonedo OBE, actress, read from Beatrice Webb’s diaries for 11th November 1918.

John Simm, actor, read from John Jackson, Private 12768: Memoir of a Tommy.

Young people bore flowers through the Abbey Church and placed them at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

The Right Honourable Theresa May MP, Prime Minister, read Isaiah 58: 6-12.

The Address was given by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England, and Metropolitan.

A new anthem, The True Light, by Judith Weir CBE, Master of the Queens Music, commissioned specially for the service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers.  

The prayers were led by The Reverend Christopher Stoltz, Minor Canon and Precentor, and said by Jasleen Singh, Joel Williams-Modeste, Rebecca Pinkerton and The Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon in Residence.

Simon Russell Beale CBE, actor read from The Unfinished Task by Winston Churchill.

HE The President of the Federal Republic of Germany read 1 St John 4: 7–11.

HRH The Prince of Wales read St John 15: 9–15.

The National Anthem was sung.

The service was sung by The Choir of Westminster Abbey, conducted by James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, and before the service by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist.

The RAF Band directed by Flight Lieutenant Tom Rodda RAF played before and after the service.

The Service was broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 4.

Order of Service for A Service to mark the Centenary of the Armistice (PDF, 218KB)

Archbishop of Canterbury's Sermon at Armistice Centenary Service

TAGS
Armistice | HM The Queen | President of Germany | Remembrance | Royal Visit | Prince Charles | HRH The Duchess of Cornwall | HRH The Duke of Cambridge | HRH The Duchess of Cambridge | HRH The Duke of Sussex | HRH The Duchess of Sussex | Special Service
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