Pride, sorrow and a little swagger from Rod Stewart made for a stirring Festival of Remembrance

They were the survivors, but we also heard of loss on that same screen, with stories of families grieving for a lost son or brother. It’s always a moving moment when these families suddenly process into the hall in the flesh, carrying the Book of Remembrance. We also heard sad stories of LGBT+ soldiers, passionately devoted to the service but forced out owing to a regulation banning gay soldiers, which was not fully lifted until 2000.

However, this was not in any way a sad occasion. These stories were woven into a celebration which, as always, combined song, perfectly choreographed movement and marches that spoke of pride and joy, as well as sorrow. Dropped in among the military parades was a sprinkling of star turns.