WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Queen leads Remembrance Sunday ceremony as wreaths laid and war heroes stand in solemn tribute across nation

 THE QUEEN is leading Remembrance Sunday ceremonies today as wreaths are laid and war heroes standing in a solemn tribute to those who sacrificed so much - as Boris Johnson says "no virus will stop us".

People across the UK are privately paying their respects as poppy wreaths are laid and a two-minute silence is observed to mark Remembrance Sunday at home in 2020.

The Queen is leading tributes during today's ceremony
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The Queen is leading tributes during today's ceremonyCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Prince Charles lays a wreath this morning
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Prince Charles lays a wreath this morningCredit: Reuters
Boris Johnson with a wreath at today's ceremony
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Boris Johnson with a wreath at today's ceremonyCredit: PA:Press Association
The Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall
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The Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in WhitehallCredit: PA:Press Association
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, is pictured during today's service
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Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, is pictured during today's serviceCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph
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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge during the National Service of Remembrance at The CenotaphCredit: Rex Features
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also laid a wreath
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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also laid a wreathCredit: PA:Press Association
This year's service at the Cenotaph has been impacted by Covid-19
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This year's service at the Cenotaph has been impacted by Covid-19Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Military personnel during the National Service of Remembrance 
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Military personnel during the National Service of Remembrance Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Poppy and Tommy Dominic as they lay a wreath at Barnard Castle for their great-great-great grandfather Wilfred Smith
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Poppy and Tommy Dominic as they lay a wreath at Barnard Castle for their great-great-great grandfather Wilfred SmithCredit: NB PRESS LTD
Members of the armed forces match along Birdcage Walk en route to the Cenotaph today
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Members of the armed forces match along Birdcage Walk en route to the Cenotaph todayCredit: ©Max Mumby
Boris Johnson tweeted this message today
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Boris Johnson tweeted this message today
The PM said 'no virus will stop us'
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The PM said 'no virus will stop us'Credit: borisjohnson/Twitter
Queen Elizabeth inspects a bouquet of flowers placed on her behalf at the grave of the Unknown Warrior
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Queen Elizabeth inspects a bouquet of flowers placed on her behalf at the grave of the Unknown WarriorCredit: Reuters

It comes as the coronavirus pandemic forces many commemorations to be scaled back.

The annual service at the Cenotaph in London is going ahead today, with the ceremony being held outdoors and invited guests required to observe social distancing.

Although the public are unable to attend, the event is being broadcast live on multiple channels, with people encouraged to take part in the two-minute silence at home.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted a Remembrance Sunday message today.

The PM wrote: "No virus will stop us from honouring the memory of the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

"Today, as every day, we will remember them."

The Queen and members of the royal family are expected to join the country in commemorating the nation's war dead at the Cenotaph.

Among those who are expected are the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The Duke of Sussex stepped down as a working member of the royal family and now lives in California.

But in a podcast to mark Remembrance Sunday the former Army officer said: "Being able to wear my uniform, being able to stand up in service of one's country, these are amongst the greatest honours there are in life.

"To me, the uniform is a symbol of something much bigger, it's symbolic of our commitment to protecting our country, as well as protecting our values.

"These values are put in action through service, and service is what happens in the quiet and in the chaos."

In a brief ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday, the Queen commemorated the 100th anniversary of the interment of the Unknown Warrior, who represents the First World War soldiers whose place of death is not known or whose remains are unidentified.

Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, London
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Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, LondonCredit: PA:Press Association
Military personnel march past during the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph
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Military personnel march past during the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph
Camilla and Kate during today's service
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Camilla and Kate during today's serviceCredit: PA:Press Association
Poppy wreaths are carried on Whitehall today
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Poppy wreaths are carried on Whitehall todayCredit: PA:Press Association
This year's service will be very different to previous years
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This year's service will be very different to previous yearsCredit: News UK
NINTCHDBPICT000619106195
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NINTCHDBPICT000619106195Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Chancellor Rishi Sunak travels to today's service
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak travels to today's serviceCredit: PA:Press Association
Wreaths laid at Liverpool cenotaph
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Wreaths laid at Liverpool cenotaphCredit: Alamy Live News
Precautions have been put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic
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Precautions have been put in place due to the coronavirus pandemicCredit: © 2020 Joshua Bratt
City of Edinburgh Garrison Sergeant Major Scotty McFadden
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City of Edinburgh Garrison Sergeant Major Scotty McFaddenCredit: PA:Press Association
Pictured are veterans Phil Tinkler and Paul Thompson (red beret) in County Durham
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Pictured are veterans Phil Tinkler and Paul Thompson (red beret) in County DurhamCredit: North News and Pictures
Second World War veteran Cathy Drummond, who served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force
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Second World War veteran Cathy Drummond, who served in the Women's Auxiliary Air ForceCredit: PA:Press Association

The 94-year-old monarch had requested the service - her first public engagement in London since March - after she was advised not to attend an abbey service marking the warrior's centenary next week, which the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are expected to join on November 11, Armistice Day.

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid his respects to the war dead at Uxbridge War Memorial in west London at a low-key event on Saturday.

He said: "We come together every November to commemorate the servicemen and women from Britain and the Commonwealth who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

"In this time of adversity, no virus can stop us from honouring their memory, particularly when we have just celebrated the 75th anniversary of victory in the Second World War.

"And in times of trial, our tributes matter even more. So let's come together once again and remember those to whom we owe so much."

In a video message ahead of his attendance at the Remembrance Sunday service, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "2020 has been a year of struggle and sacrifice, and we know many challenges lie ahead.

"But in these difficult times whenever we are in need of inspiration we can always look with pride, not only to our wartime generations or those who are currently serving our nation at home and abroad, but to all our servicemen and women who throughout this pandemic have stood side by side with our key workers in the battle against this virus.

"So on this special Remembrance Sunday where we mark 80 years since the Battle of Britain and 75 years since the end of the Second World War, let us say thanks to all those who have served and all those who continue to serve this great country."

The Sun's Poppy Appeal

THE annual Poppy Appeal needs The Sun’s army of big-hearted readers more than ever this year.

Fears over Covid will dramatically reduce the number of street vendors.

But forces veterans and their families who rely on the British Legion still desperately need our support.

That’s why The Sun, backed by celebs from David Beckham to Captain Tom Moore, is campaigning so hard for the Appeal.

And we will be putting the poppy on our front page every day from now until Remembrance Day on November 11.

Join in the campaign today.

People are being encouraged to join commemorations on Sunday by sharing family histories, personal stories and messages of remembrance using the hashtag #WeWillRememberThem online.

Meanwhile, genealogy company Ancestry has made more than one billion UK wartime records free to access over the weekend for people to discover the roles their family played in the First and Second World Wars.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "While this year's service is a little different to normal, I want to encourage everyone to get involved from their own homes - watch on your TV, research your family history - but most importantly, keep safe."

About 150 personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will be on parade at the Cenotaph, with musicians from all three services to play traditional music for the service, including the Last Post played by Buglers of the Royal Marines.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "Many of the men and women on parade today have already taken part in efforts to fight coronavirus and many more will do so in the weeks to come.

"I applaud their selflessness."

A RAF representative attends a remembrance service in Keele, Staffordshire
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A RAF representative attends a remembrance service in Keele, StaffordshireCredit: Reuters
General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, in Downing Street on his way to The Cenotaph
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General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, in Downing Street on his way to The CenotaphCredit: Rex Features
Dignitaries pay respect to the sacrifice of service men and women at The National Memorial Arboretum in Stafford
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Dignitaries pay respect to the sacrifice of service men and women at The National Memorial Arboretum in StaffordCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Military personnel during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph
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Military personnel during the National Service of Remembrance at The CenotaphCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Boris Johnson travels to today's service
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Boris Johnson travels to today's serviceCredit: Rex Features
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer
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Labour leader Sir Keir StarmerCredit: PA:Press Association
Former Prime Minister Theresa May
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Former Prime Minister Theresa MayCredit: �2020 Stephen Lock / i-Images

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