The Prime Minister will be joined at the Cenotaph next weekend by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and earlier in the week will meet French President Emmanuel Macron as she leads commemorations across Belgium and France to mark the centenary of the ceasefire on the Western Front.
Mrs May said: “Next week will mark one of the most significant moments in our nation’s history. One hundred years after the guns fell silent on the Western Front, each and every one of us can pause to reflect on the immense sacrifices that were made by so many.
“The killing fields of France and Belgium are scarred by the horrors of war, but the strength and closeness of our relationship today is a testament to the journey our countries have travelled together. I’m proud to represent the immense gratitude of our nation and share these moments of reflection with our friends and partners in Europe.”
The Prime Minister will visit St Symphorien Military Cemetery at Mons in Belgium on Friday where she will lay wreaths at the graves of John Parr – the first UK soldier to be killed in 1914 – and the last, George Ellison, who was killed on the Western Front at 9.30am before the Armistice became effective at 11am.
By coincidence, they are buried opposite each other at the cemetery. She will then attend a reception to meet service personnel.
The Prime Minister will then travel to France where she will meet President Macron in Albert, a historic town at the heart of the Somme region, which suffered significant bombardment during the First World War.
It will be an opportunity to reflect on the shared history of our countries. They will have lunch before a wreath laying at the Thiepval Memorial. It is the site of an annual event for the Missing of the Somme and bears the names of 72,000 officers and forces who died.
A special wreath will be made combining poppies and le bleuet, the national emblems of remembrance for Britain and France.
On Saturday evening, the Prime Minister will attend The Royal British Legion (RBL) Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Attended by the Royal Family, the RBL will say “thank you” to all who served.
The Prime Minister will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph ceremony on Remembrance Sunday. President Steinmeier will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, the first time a German leader has attended. He and Mrs May will also attend a special service at Westminster Abbey later that day.