BBC viewers were deeply moved following Sir Rod Stewart’s stirring performance at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which aired on Saturday night. Hosted by Hannah Waddingham, the broadcast was held to mark Remembrance Sunday the following day.
Sir Rod opened the evening with a heartfelt rendition of Doris Day’s classic Sentimental Journey, a song that became an anthem of homecoming after the end of World War II in 1945. Accompanied by a grand brass band, the performance was underscored by a spotlight tribute to wartime icons. Later in the evening, the music legend returned to the stage to perform a moving version of his iconic hit Sailing.
Viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their admiration for the 80-year-old singer’s emotional contribution. One user wrote: “Rod Stewart, absolute legend.” Another viewer, Edwin, commented: “After a great opening by Rod Stewart, the RBL Festival of Remembrance is well underway, commemorating those who fought and often fell for freedom, democracy, and the UK and the Commonwealth, in both past and present. Proper and beautiful British pomp & circumstance.” Estella added: “I’m emotional already.”
Among those in attendance at the Royal Albert Hall were King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, and Princess Kate. Prince George made his debut at the event to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who have lost their lives in conflict. Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, was seated in a box adjacent to the royal box with his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer.
This year’s festival marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and commemorated the 25th anniversary of the UK government lifting the ban on gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel serving openly in the armed forces, reflecting on past discriminations.
In addition to Sir Rod, the event featured performances from Sam Ryder and Keala Settle, as well as music by the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires, and the Band of HM Royal Marines.
The royal family stood in applause as the Chelsea Pensioners in their distinctive red uniforms entered the auditorium, marching across the stage to the tune of The Boys of the Old Brigade, performed by the orchestra.
Veterans in attendance included those who had helped plan D-Day, as well as others who had survived prisoner-of-war camps and direct hits at sea.
Host Hannah Waddingham performed We’ll Meet Again, paying tribute to her late grandfather, a veteran, and spoke movingly of his courage.
As the event drew to a close, King Charles smiled and waved to the audience as the crowd sang a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem. The Prince of Wales was absent, as he was returning from the COP30 UN Climate Change Summit in Belem, Brazil.
The King, who was announced as Patron of the Royal British Legion last year, will lead the nation in a two-minute silence at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday.