The Queen has led the nation in commemorating those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The Monarch paid silent tribute to the servicemen, women and civilians who have died serving Britain since the First World War at the annual Remembrance Sunday service held at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall.

Thousands lined the pavements and observed the two minutes' silence at 11am as a remark of respect to the fallen.

The Queen and senior members of the royal family laid wreaths at the monument, including Prince William - an officer in the Blues and Royals - who took part in the ceremony for the first time.

A Clarence House spokeswoman said Prince Harry, a cornet in the Blues and Royals, would be attending a private remembrance service with his regiment.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron, acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and more than 40 High Commissioners from Commonwealth countries also left floral tributes to the war dead at the Cenotaph.

Chris Simpkins, the Royal British Legion's director general, said: "It is wonderful to see so many people attending remembrance parades and observing the two minute silence or watching the extensive coverage at home on TV.

"Remembrance Sunday is an occasion when we contemplate and commemorate common values, and remember the past in the context of the present

"That so many have participated shows the nation is united in remembering the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and those who continue to put their lives at risk for us today."

Not only will those servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars have been remembered, but also present conflicts in the Middle East.

The UK has suffered 83 military fatalities in Afghanistan and 169 in Iraq since hostilities began in the two countries, and services have been held by soldiers on duty in both countries.

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