The royal family attends sombre Remembrance Day service in London

The royal family was out in force in London to pay their respects on Armistice Day, with Prince Charles leading the charge and laying a wreath for the Queen.

Prince William and Catherine and Prince Harry and Meghan, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall all visited London’s Cenotaph for the national remembrance service.

It was also the first time that a procession of 10,000 members of the public, who were chosen by ballot, laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who announced her pregnancy last month, wore a structured black jacket and a small black fascinator.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, wore a black, military-style jacket that had a cream neckline and silver buttons.

The chic coat was cinched at the waist and was paired with a black hat.

Prince Harry, who served in the army, and Prince William, who served time in the navy, wore military uniforms, however questions were raised on social media as to why the Duke of Sussex did not wear a poppy.

The Queen wore a black jacket which was buttoned up to her neck and a black hat.

She was accompanied by the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall on a balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as her son and future King, Prince Charles, laid a wreath on her behalf.

However Prince Philip was not in attendance, having retired from royal duties last year.

It’s the first time the Duke of Edinburgh, 97, has missed the service.

The Duchess of Sussex stood next to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s wife Elke Büdenbender on a nearby balcony to the Queen.

It’s the first time Germany has sent a national leader to the British proceedings, with President Steinmeier laying a wreath in what was a historic act of reconciliation between the two countries.

Last year was the first time the Queen had handed over the wreath laying responsibility to her son who turns 70 on November 14.

The Queen has missed laying the wreath just six times since 1945 — she was overseas on four occasions and was pregnant twice.

Other members of the royal family, British Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition party leaders also left floral tributes before people gathered to observe a two minute silence at 11am.

London’s iconic Big Ben also chimed despite being covered in scaffolding for conservation works.

It comes after the Queen and senior members of the royal family attended the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Saturday night.

The family, including the Queen, were expected to attend a final service on Sunday night at Westminster Abbey.

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