King will lead memorial service at Cenotaph with wreaths laid by members of the royal family and senior politicians – after 126 pro-Palestine and right-wing counter-protesters were arrested during the Armistice Day march

King Charles will lead a commemoration Sunday at the Cenotaph, just hours after more than 100 people were arrested during protests in London.

The King will lead today’s events to mark the end of the First World War, with members of the Royal Family and senior politicians also laying wreaths at the foot of the war memorial.

About 10,000 veterans and 800 armed forces personnel will take part in a march past the Cenotaph, while a two-minute silence will take place at 11am.

It comes after the Metropolitan Police said it had made 126 arrests after far-right groups gathered to ‘protect the Cenotaph’ from a large pro-Palestinian march during Armistice Day on Saturday.

Nine officers were injured after they were pelted with bottles, cans and metal barriers as they prevented a crowd of mainly far-right football hooligans from reaching the Cenotaph.

Clashes broke out when police tried to stop a crowd of people carrying St George’s flags and marching along the Embankment towards Whitehall, where the cenotaph is located, shortly after 10am.

The group, who had sung ‘England until I die’, pushed through the police barrier, with some shouting ‘let’s have them’ as officers struck with batons.

Further clashes with police took place in Chinatown, with counter-protesters chanting at officers: ‘You’re not English anymore’.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the ugly scenes on Armistice Day were ‘completely disrespectful’ to the spirit of remembrance. He said he would meet with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to hold him ‘accountable’ for tackling the disturbances.

Pictures showed rival groups of protesters clashing in Trafalgar Square, with one counter-protester wielding a stick, while Michael Gove was heckled by pro-Palestinians shouting “shame on you” as he tried to leave Victoria Station.

Mr Sunak said in a statement: ‘I condemn the violent, completely unacceptable scenes we saw today from the EDL (English Defense League) and associated groups and Hamas sympathizers who attended the National March for Palestine. The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.”

He said their actions “do not defend the honor of our armed forces, but utterly disrespect them,” adding: “That goes for EDL thugs who attack police officers and enter the Cenotaph, and it goes for those who sing anti-Semitic chants and to wave. pro-Hamas signs and clothing at today’s protest.”

Mr Sunak said he would meet the head of the Met, adding: ‘All crime must be fought with the full and swift force of the law.

“I said that to the Met police commissioner on Wednesday, they are responsible for that and I expect the same.”

Meanwhile, an emotional one King Charles was joined by a host of leading royals last night as statues of his late parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, were unveiled at a special festival of remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

The life-size bronze works, commemorating the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to the Royal Albert Hall, were erected as part of the building’s 150th anniversary.

Charles was joined by Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance, with Kate wearing one of the late queen’s pearl necklaces.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent were also in attendance.

As they took their seats, Charles was seen waving to the packed audience.

Mr Sunak observed the event from a box to the left of the royal family next to his wife Akshata Murty, while Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer sat in a separate box to the right with his wife Lady Victoria.

During the event, the king unveiled the statue of his late mother, while Camilla pulled back the curtain on Prince Philip’s bust.

Upon arrival, Charles and Camilla shook hands with two men before unveiling the images for the first time.

After three counts, Camilla pulled a gold rope and red velvet curtains revealed the bronze statue of Prince Philip.

Charles then did the same and unveiled the statue of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022.

Works of art by Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, were also unveiled at the Royal Albert Hall this week.

The sculptures, created by artist Poppy Field, ‘complete’ the building by filling the niches of the north veranda, which have been empty since 1871, and the south veranda, which was added in 2003.

Charles and Camilla were seen clapping at various times during the event, including at the arrival of the Chelsea Pensioners.

Clare Balding, host of the annual Royal British Legion event, said servicemen who have lost their lives are ‘kept alive by our words, our memories, our tributes’.

There were performances by British soul singer Mica Paris, pop star Calum Scott, Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery and tenor Alfie Boe, who performed Bring Him Home.

The Princess Royal led a tribute to those who died in the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest military campaign of the Second World War.