How to watch and listen to the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2023 and the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph

The BBC is marking Remembrance Week 2023 across television, radio, and online with a range of original and live programming, including the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2023 and the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph.

Here’s how to follow events across TV, BBC iPlayer, Radio and BBC Sounds

Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2023 BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm-10.40pm

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be joined by members of the Royal Family at the Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Hosted by Clare Balding – music artists include British soul legend Mica Paris, popstar Calum Scott, Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery, Festival favourite Alfie Boe, singer songwriter Katie Melua, chart-topping DJ-duo Sigma featuring Morgan and 14 year old opera singing sensation Malaki. The Band of HM Royal Marines and The Band of The Royal Airforce Regiment will create awe inspiring displays of military music. This year’s event will commemorate the significant anniversaries of two crucial historical battles. It is eighty years since The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest military campaign of World War II and the seventieth anniversary of the Korean War in which many national servicemen fought and died, with veterans from both wars present in the Hall.

In tribute to the seventy fifth anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival, the Festival will honour the extraordinary contributions of the Windrush generation to the military. Our currently serving personnel will also be celebrated as we hear of the remarkable work of the British Army Chaplains in training their Ukrainian counterparts and we give thanks for the essential role that military families play in supporting those that serve. Past and present military personnel will come together to be honoured for their service and dedication in defending our freedoms and way of life. As the petals fall in the Royal Albert Hall, the Festival will pay tribute to all victims of war and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

For the first time ever, the BBC will be providing audio described commentary for audiences who are blind or partially sighted through BBC iPlayer and the channel’s red button function.

BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, 8pm-9pm

Paddy O’Connell presents highlights from the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance 2023 at the Royal Albert Hall. Military Bands take centre stage in the opulent surroundings in this star-studded programme of music and reflection, honouring those who have served in the Armed Forces and commemorating those who gave their lives.

This year the Festival remembers the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest military campaign during World War Two, and the 70th anniversary of the “forgotten war” – the Korean War. There will be performances from Katie Melua, Melakai Bayoh and Mica Paris – who will be honouring veterans from the Windrush generation. Veterans and service men and women engaged in current military operations join with the audience to give thanks and pay tribute to all who risk their lives for their country.

Paddy will hear about the power of rehabilitation from those taking part in the Invictus Games. The conclusion of the Festival features the service of Remembrance during which thousands of poppies are dropped from the roof of the hall, representing the lives lost in both World Wars, and subsequent conflicts. This programme will also be available on BBC Sounds. A BBC Religion production.

Remembrance Sunday: The Cenotaph BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 10.15am-12.45pm (highlights on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, 6pm-7.20pm)

David Dimbleby will present live coverage from London as His Majesty The King leads the nation in the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall.

As it has for more than one hundred years, the two-minute silence at 11 o’clock will be followed by the service and wreath laying as the nation remembers all those from the UK, and across the Commonwealth, who have died serving their country.

His Majesty will be joined by senior members of the Royal Family and leading UK politicians, alongside representatives of the Armed Forces, Commonwealth nations, and faith communities for the morning’s commemorations. Nearly 10,000 veterans are expected to take part in the Royal British Legion March Past and Sophie Raworth will speak with some of those taking part as they share their remarkable stories of service. Veterans and their families from across the nation will reflect on film on the importance and meaning of Remembrance to them.

For the first time ever, the BBC will be providing audio described commentary for audiences who are blind or partially sighted through BBC iPlayer and the channel’s red button function.

BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service, BBC Sounds, 10.30am-11.45am

BBC World Service will be joining Radio 4 in broadcasting a ceremony of Remembrance from the Cenotaph in London on Sunday 12 November between 10.30–11.45am