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Sir Keir Starmer joins Macron on Armistice Day in Paris

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  • November 11, 2024
Sir Keir Starmer joins Macron on Armistice Day in Paris

Sir Keir Starmer marked Armistice Day in Paris as events took place across the UK to commemorate the end of the First World War.

The prime minister met French President Emmanual Macron for the 106th anniversary of the event.

The pair laid a wreath together before relighting the flame of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.

French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center left, attend ceremonies marking the 106th anniversary of the Armistice, a celebration of their countries' friendship, as nations across the world pay tribute to their fallen soldiers in World War I, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Michel Euler/Pool via REUTERS
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Pic: Reuters

Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer stand at attention before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Place de l'Etoile, in Paris, on November 11, 2024, as part of the commemorations marking the 106th anniversary of the November 11, 1918, Armistice, ending World War I. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS.
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Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron stand at attention before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Pic: Reuters

The French Army Choir sang God Save The King and the French national anthem La Marseillaise.

Earlier Sir Keir and Mr Macron laid wreaths at statues of Winston Churchill and Georges Clemenceau, the French prime minister at the time of the Armistice.

Follow live: PM in Paris for ‘vital’ Armistice Day events

Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attend a wreath-laying ceremony in front of the statue of Georges Clemenceau on the Champs Elysees avenue, during commemorations marking the 106th anniversary of the WWI Armistice, in Paris, France, 11 November 2024. CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/Pool via REUTERS
Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer attend a wreath-laying ceremony in front of the statue of Winston Churchill. Pic: Reuters
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Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron laid a wreath in front of the statue of Winston Churchill. Pics: Reuters

Sir Keir is the first British prime minister to attend the armistice ceremony in Paris since Churchill joined Charles de Gaulle there in 1944, according to Number 10.

Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer sign the Golden Book of the Unknown soldier's sacred flame
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Pic: Reuters

Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer attend commemorations during Armistice in Paris. Pic: Reuters
Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer attend commemorations during Armistice in Paris. Pic: Reuters
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Pics: Reuters

The prime minister met Mr Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier this morning and had a breakfast reception with representatives of the British defence community in France.

“I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President Macron in tribute to the fallen of the First World War who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today,” Sir Keir said.

Keir Starmer greets Chelsea Pensioners on the Place de l'Etoile during the commemorations marking the 106th anniversary of the November 11, 1918, Armistice. Pic: Reuters
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Sir Keir greets Chelsea Pensioners on the Place de l’Etoile. Pic: Reuters

In the UK, the Duchess of Edinburgh joined guests for the Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Sophie read an extract from For The Fallen, a poem by Lawrence Binyon, and laid a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial.

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The Duchess of Edinburgh is shown the armed forces memorial. Pic: PA
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The Duchess of Edinburgh at the Armed Forces Memorial in Staffordshire

The poppy wreath and message laid by the Duchess of Edinburgh during the Remembrance service at National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. Pic: PA
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The poppy wreath laid by the Duchess of Edinburgh

A view of the Remembrance service at National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. Pic: PA
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Pics: PA

A ‘special year’

Sir Keir’s visit to France is a reminder “we can never take the freedoms we enjoy in Europe for granted,” the defence secretary said earlier this morning.

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“This is a special year,” John Healey told Sky News when asked why Sir Keir was making the trip to Paris.

“We mark 80 years [since the] D-Day invasions and some of the critical battles that liberated Europe and ended the Second World War.

“This is also a mark of the close relationship between the two leaders, between Macron and Starmer, but also the historic bonds between our two countries and our two militaries.”

It comes after Sir Keir announced more than £10m to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day next year.

The prime minister has pledged a “moment of national reflection” next year, with events on 8 May to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe and also on 15 August to mark the end of the Second World War.

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