The Royals Lead the Nation for a Scaled-Down Remembrance Sunday

It was a very different Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London's Whitehall this morning as the Queen and members of the Royal family joined officials to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. A highlight of the day each November is viewing the march past by thousand of veterans. Sadly, that wasn't possible this year, with fewer than thirty invited in keeping with social-distance restrictions.

More from the BBC's Jonny Dymond:

'Missing were the members of the public who normally travel from all over the country to be here, who stand three or four-deep along the barriers that line either side of Whitehall.

Missing too were the great number of military veterans who march past the Cenotaph after the wreath-laying. The public and the veterans bring life to this commemoration of loss - they ground this remembrance and make it more personal, more sharply felt.

Remembrance Sunday belongs to those who gave - their lives, their health, their loved ones. Everyone here in Whitehall will hope that next year will see the public and military veterans return.'

 The Duchess of Cambridge joined the Duchess of Cornwall on a balcony this year.

Her Majesty on the balcony. "May the memory of their sacrifice and bravery remain with us always."

The Prince of Wales laid a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty before laying his own.

Prince William, wearing his RAF uniform, laid a wreath.

Anne, Princess Royal.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex with Sir Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne's husband.

The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is a unique expression of homage devoted to the memory of those who have given their lives in war.

It was originally conceived as a commemoration of the First World War's dead by King George V in 1919, but after the Second World War the scope of the ceremony was extended to focus on the dead of both wars. Remembrance Day or Memorial Day is observed in Commonwealth countries.

As the clock struck eleven, a two-minute silence was observed. The silence represents the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, when the guns of Europe fell silent.

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired the minute gun to mark the start of the two minute silence.

The small group of veterans present was comprised of men and women from the Royal Air Force, Royal Marines the Army and Royal Navy.

The Massed Bands and the Guard Division and the Pipes and Drums played a selection of music throughout.

Members of the Chelsea Pensioners from Royal Chelsea Hospital.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson 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."

The Royal British Legion encouraged people to stand on their doorsteps to mark a two-minute silence - reminiscent of the weekly Clap for Carers, which saw tens of thousands -- if not significantly more -- honour frontline workers. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said, "It is with a heavy heart that I must ask people not to attend the ceremony at the Cenotaph this year in order to keep veterans and the public safe."

We also saw significant changes to the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, which aired on the BBC last night.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall represented the Royal family at the event which was recorded without an audience. The Duchess commended nurses, saying, "You have been at the very epicentre of the nation’s response to the pandemic, providing a critical line of defence with compassion and dignity, and bringing hope and healing to so many."

“You have been at the very epicentre of the nation’s response to the pandemic providing a critical line of defence with compassion and dignity, and bringing hope and healing to so many.”

The Duchess commends our nurses during the @PoppyLegion Festival of Remembrance. pic.twitter.com/taasspHX0O

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) November 8, 2020

Prince Charles paid a poignant tribute to the Armed Forces, saying, "In this challenging year, we have perhaps come to realise that the freedoms for which they fought for us are more precious than we knew, and that the debt we owe them is even greater than we imagined."

“In this challenging year, we have perhaps come to realise that the freedoms for which they fought for us are more precious than we knew, and that the debt we owe them is even greater than we imagined.”

The Prince pays tribute to the Armed Forces at the Festival of Remembrance. pic.twitter.com/oOg0Pzmreo

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) November 8, 2020

Additionally, the Queen paid a private visit to Westminster Abbey earlier this week to mark the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior. Buckingham Palace said, "The grave of the Unknown Warrior is the final resting place of an unidentified British serviceman who died on the battlefields during the First World War. The serviceman’s body was brought from Northern France and buried at Westminster Abbey on 11th November 1920 after a procession through Whitehall. The Queen’s grandfather, King George V, placed a wreath on the coffin at the Cenotaph, which was unveiled on the processional route. His Majesty later dropped a handful of earth from France onto the serviceman’s coffin as it was lowered into the grave at the Abbey. He was joined at the burial by his son, the future King George VI. The Unknown Warrior became an important symbol of mourning for bereaved families, representing all those who lost their lives in the First World War but whose place of death was not known, or whose bodies remained unidentified. It remains a solemn tribute to all service personnel who have lost their lives in combat."

Due to the pandemic, it's been incredibly difficult for the Royal British Legion to raise much-needed funds via their annual Poppy Appeal. If you would like to support their vital work, you can leave a tribute in their virtual Field of Remembrance and donate. Scrolling through the virtual field and reading the messages was both a moving and a powerful reminder of the significance of the day.

The Duchess selected a bespoke black military coat with a high collar and tassel shoulder detail by Catherine Walker (with thanks to Middleton Maven). The piece has notable similarities to several custom made Catherine Walker styles the Duchess has worn. It's a beautifully crafted and tailored piece.

Kate's hat is a timeless design by Philip Treacy.

The Duchess accessorised with the Queen's diamond and pearl earrings. We've seen Kate wearing them on several occasions over the past several years. Her Majesty wore them back in 1977 during her silver jubilee.

The Duchess wore three poppies on her lapel. Whilst the reason has not been confirmed by the Palace, Kate's great-grandmother's three brothers were killed during the First World War.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."

On Wednesday, a special service will be held at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior. I think it likely we'll see the Cambridges there with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.