Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2025

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Summary

The annual commemorative performance from the Royal Albert Hall, featuring performances from Rod Stewart, Blessing Offor, Sam Ryder, Keala Settle and the Wellermen, as well as 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 both the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 25th anniversary of the UK Government lifting the ban on gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel serving openly in the armed forces

Review

Jane Rackham

The annual ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall to honour Britain’s servicemen and women is always moving. A solemn celebration of the camaraderie of the armed forces it’s also a poignant reminder of the victims of conflict: something we are all still too aware of with the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. In the presence of the King and Queen, the programme marks 80 years since the “war to end all wars”, acknowledges that it’s only 25 years since the ban on gay people serving in the forces was lifted and recognises the resilience of bereaved military children.

The music is a mix of military bands and wartime classics as well as performances from Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder, Blessing Offor, Keala Settle and The Wellermen. As always, the evening ends with the traditional flutter of one million poppy petals falling from the ceiling. Tomorrow on BBC One at 10.15am there’s live coverage of the historic march past at London’s Cenotaph.

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rolenamePerformerRod StewartPerformerBlessing OfforPerformerSam RyderPerformerKeala SettlePerformerThe WellermenSeries producerRosheen ArcherDirectorMarcus VinerExecutive producerElen Moore

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