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Armistice Day: moving events mark 100 years since end of first world war - as it happened

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Rolling coverage of events including commemorations in Britain, France and Belgium

Armistice Day is marked around the world – in pictures

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Sun 11 Nov 2018 11.32 ESTFirst published on Sun 11 Nov 2018 03.42 EST
Royal family and UK leaders mark armistice centenary – video

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Key events

We are now going to wrap up today’s live coverage of the centenary commemorations around the world.

We have roundups from Belgium, France, the UK and from around the world if you would like to read more about events today.

Thank you for joining us.

Soldiers stand amoungst a field of fabric poppies ahead of the Remembrance Day Service at the Australian War Memorial on November 11, 2018 in Canberra. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images
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Donald Trump, who missed yesterday’s cemetery visit in Compiègne, northern France, amid heavy rain, has described today’s ceremony in Paris as “beautiful”.

Beautiful ceremony today in Paris commemorating the end of World War One. Many World leaders in attendance. Thank you to @EmmanuelMacron, President of France! Now off to Suresnes American Cemetery to make speech in honor of our great heroes! Then back to the U.S.A.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2018

"You look so comfortable up there under shelter as we're getting drenched, you're very smart people" - Donald Trump thanks the Second World War veterans at the Suresnes American Cemetery #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/zytIBPFXlb

— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 11, 2018
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Members of the emergency services around the country have been paying their respects.

Our #SpecialConstables #PoliceYouthVolunteers and #PoliceSupportVolunteers looking #Proud #Positive and #Professional with @CCMattJukes as they represent @swpolice at the National Service of Remembrance in @swpcardiff#WeWillRememberThem #LestWeForget ^S/Insp BJ pic.twitter.com/SBHLdycyY7

— SW Police Specials (@swpspecials) November 11, 2018
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Paying our respects on the @LDNairamb @NHSBartsHealth Helipad “We will remember them “ pic.twitter.com/uhWghhY8cl

— John Power (@jpower67) November 11, 2018

#Edmonton #Whitewatch attended the War Memorial at #EdmontonGreen to lay a wreath and mark #RemembranceSunday2018. #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/fv70vMvyqD

— LFB Enfield (@LFBEnfield) November 11, 2018

Donald Trump, Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin join Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders in a Paris ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that brought an end to the first world war.

This video has been removed. This could be because it launched early, our rights have expired, there was a legal issue, or for another reason.

'Old demons are resurfacing,' warns Macron as world leaders gather for Armistice Day – video

There’s more here. And here’s our round up of commemorations around the world:

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Up to 10,000 veterans, serving personnel and members of the public marked the centenary of the Armistice at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Remembering those who gave their lives, the reverend Tim Flowers, assistant chaplain of the arboretum, said theirs had been a sacrifice for future generations “that all people may together live in freedom, justice and peace”.

Armistice Day service at the National Arboretum. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters

Then five buglers of the Royal Marines played the last post, as the two-minute silence fell. Reveille sounded and then, as sea cadet Eleanor Deeley read the Kohima Epitaph, a sudden gust of wind blew up, rustling the trees which cover the vast site.

As the final notes of the bugle call drifted away, the only noise that could be heard above the silence was the wind in the trees.

The crowd lent full voice to the hymn Abide With Me while earlier the Band of the Royal Marines had played the Band of Brothers television theme – Requiem for a Soldier – and the hymn Amazing Grace.

People attend a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

There was then a wreath-laying led by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, before families left flowers for their loved ones and relatives who were lost to the Great War and other conflicts.

A card fixed to the poppies, read: “We never knew you but we know of you – we will never forget your selfless sacrifice. Thank you.”

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Earlier today the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, laid a wreath at the cenotaph in a highly symbolic moment, the first time the German head of state has done so, in a historic moment of reconciliation.

President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier lays a wreath at the Cenotaph. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Acts of remembrance are also taking place across Northern Ireland with DUP leader Arlene Foster and Irish government minister Heather Humphreys laying wreaths at the cenotaph in Enniskillen.

Hundreds gathered in the narrow streets to watch a musical procession including a brass band and bagpipes before representatives of the four main churches in the town led a service.

DUP leader Arlene Foster (left) and Heather Humphreys Irish Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation at the Enniskillen Cenotaph. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA

Remembrance Sunday in the Co Fermanagh town has an added poignancy after a Provisional IRA bomb devastated the event in 1987. Eleven people were killed in the blast. A 12th victim, Ronnie Hill, slipped into a coma two days afterwards and died 13 years later.

A number of families of the bomb victims were present in Enniskillen for the ceremony. Armistice commemorations started before dawn in the town – which is among the most westerly in the United Kingdom – with a lone piper playing at an event at Enniskillen Castle at 6am.

Representatives of all the main churches and the armed forces were present, as well as Northern Ireland secretary Karen Bradley, Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Coveney and police service of Northern Ireland deputy chief constable Stephen Martin.

Sinn Féin’s Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey was not in attendance. A party spokesman said that its representatives will not take part in events which “celebrate or attempt to legitimise British imperialism”.

A brass band during a parade through Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA

Coveney was not present at the service due to the inauguration of Michael D Higgins for his second term as Irish president in Dublin. In a letter published in the order of service, he said: “For far too long, remembrance of the war on the island was a source of division. There was a sense that commemoration of the young Irishmen who died in the Somme or Gallipoli was a political declaration, or a marker of community identity.

“In recent times, and as we have marked the centenaries of the events of that decade, we have seen something very different. We have seen leadership and scholarship and sensitivity and generosity.”

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The European Broadcasting Union, which operates Eurovision and Euroradio, will be holding a concert for peace at 2.30pm which shall be broadcasted live to audiences around the world to commemorate the centenary.

Join our Members @Francetele & @ZDF, @Vienna_Phil & audiences in over 50 countries to commemorate 100 yrs since the end of #WW1 with a "Concert For Peace" @CVersailles @ 15.30 CET Check local listings. More here: https://t.co/0dfzHxpJI2 https://t.co/VfvqJDghHR #Remembrance100

— EBU (@EBU_HQ) November 11, 2018
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