Remembrance Sunday 2025 – How to watch and listen to the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph and the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance across the BBC
The BBC will mark Remembrance Week 2025 with a wide range of special programming across television, radio and digital platforms. This includes live coverage of the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2025, attended by Senior Members of the Royal Family, the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph, as well as commemorative content for audiences of all ages.
Audio Described commentary of the live events is available via the Red Button and BBC iPlayer, while commentary-free coverage of the live events at the Cenotaph will also be available on iPlayer.
Here’s how to follow events across TV, BBC iPlayer, Radio and BBC Sounds.
Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2025
BBC One and iPlayer
Saturday 8 November, 9pm – 10.30pm
Senior Members of The Royal Family will attend The Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. This year, the event will be hosted by the award-winning Hannah Waddingham and will feature performances from music artists including Sir Rod Stewart, Blessing Offor, Sam Ryder, Keala Settle and The Wellermen. Military music will also take centre stage, with awe-inspiring displays from The Central Band of the RAF, The RAF Squadronaires, The King’s Colour Squadron, and The Band of HM Royal Marines.
The Festival will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and lost their lives. Personal stories will also bring to light the experiences of those lost in more recent conflicts, connecting the past with the present. Special focus will be given to the resilience and strength of military children who have faced bereavement.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the UK Government lifting the ban on gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel serving openly in the armed forces. The Festival will reflect on past discriminations, and celebrate the progress made since 2000.
As the iconic poppies fall during a two-minute silence, Members of the Royal Family, veterans and the nation will remember the sacrifices made.
Accessible commentary will be available on BBC iPlayer. A version with British Sign Language will also be available on Red Button and iPlayer. The Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance 2025 is produced by BBC Studios Events Productions.
BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds
Saturday 8 November, 8pm – 9pm
Paddy O’Connell presents a special live programme for Remembrance weekend, with reflective interviews and musical performances. There will be tributes and dedications of remembrance for serving members of the armed forces and those we have lost. Paddy will share highlights of the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, building up to the full show on BBC One, which this year has the theme of ‘Service Not Self.’
Paddy speaks to those involved in the event, from performers to the bereaved families. Paddy marks the 80th anniversary of VJ day by meeting Captain Yavar Abbas, a 104-year-old veteran who captured the King and Queen Camilla’s attention and brought them to tears at this year’s commemorations.
Remembrance Sunday: The Cenotaph
BBC One and iPlayer
Sunday 9 November, 10.15am – 12.40pm
Sophie Raworth and Petroc Trelawny will present live coverage from London as Members of the Royal Family leads the nation in the Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph.
Senior Members of The Royal Family will be joined by leading UK politicians, alongside representatives of the armed forces, Commonwealth nations, and faith communities, for the two-minute silence at 11am and the National Service of Remembrance.
The proceedings continue with the wreath-laying ceremony, as the nation honours all those who have died in service, followed by the historic march past of nearly 10,000 veterans, organised by The Royal British Legion.
Across the country, veterans and their families will reflect on the personal significance of Remembrance, sharing remarkable stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, reminding us all why we pause to remember.
David Dimbleby, who previously provided commentary for the Remembrance Sunday commemorations, said: “After over quarter of a century as the commentator on Remembrance Sunday I have decided that the time has come to step down. It has been an honour and a privilege to be part of this annual ceremony commemorating our veterans and their sacrifice.”
Accessible commentary and uninterrupted commentary-free coverage will be available on BBC iPlayer. A version with British Sign Language will also be available on Red Button and iPlayer. There will also be coverage of the events on Radio 4 and 5 Live. Remembrance Sunday: The Cenotaph is produced by BBC Studios Events Productions.
BBC News
Sunday 9 November
Live reporting from the Cenotaph will feature across the BBC News Channel and BBC 5 Live, with Sarah Campbell anchoring live coverage of the Remembrance Day events in the UK, around Europe and from Central London.
BBC Radio 4
Sunday 9 November, 10.30am – 11.45am
A live ceremony of remembrance from the Cenotaph, Whitehall.
BBC Cymru Wales
Sunday 9 November
At 7.30am, BBC Radio Wales will broadcast a special Remembrance Sunday Celebration led by Revds Nicola and Tudor Thomas-Botwood, retired military chaplains, and ministers of Beulah Baptist Church, Llidiartywaen.
At 5.30pm, The Roy Noble programme will interview an author whose new novel reflects the hardships and challenges of life on the land in the Vale of Glamorgan during the First World War. The programme will also feature some classic, evocative songs from the First and Second World Wars.
On BBC Radio Cymru, there will be two series devoted to the Second World War. 1945: Diwedd y Rhyfel and Cenhedlaeth y Rhyfel, the latter was originally broadcast in 2004.
BBC Northern Ireland
Sunday 9 November
Remembrance Sunday will be marked by BBC Radio Ulster’s Morning Service at 9am.
Sounds Sacred, presented by Richard Yarr, will also honour the day at 5pm with a reflective selection of music, from the timeless hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past to the stirring Dambusters March, featured as the weekly organ interlude.
BBC News Northern Ireland will be reflecting Remembrance events in its coverage and Thought for the Day will offer a moment of reflection in recognition of Remembrance Day.
BBC Scotland
Sunday 9 November, 8am – 10am
Veteran and popular history author John Nichol will feature on Remembrance Sunday to talk about his experience as a prisoner-of-war in Afghanistan, the history behind our Remembrance commemorations and his acclaimed book, The Unknown Warrior. Drawing on his own experience of combat and mourning his comrades, The Unknown Warrior explores the way individuals and nations mark the sacrifice of the dead across the ages – and our continuing need for a tangible resting place at which to truly grieve the fallen.
