An emotional King Charles was joined by a host of high-profile royals tonight as statues of his late parents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were unveiled at a special festival of remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

The life-sized bronze artworks, commemorating the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s dedication to the Royal Albert Hall, were erected as part of the building’s 150th anniversary. 

Charles, 74, was joined by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. 

The King unveiled the statue of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla unveiled the statue of Prince Philip. 

They arrived at the historic concert hall in London where they unveiled the statues ahead of the annual remembrance ceremony. 

Charles and Camilla shook hands with two men before they revealed the statues for the first time.

After a countdown of three, Camilla pulled on a golden rope and red velvet curtains revealed the bronze statue of Prince Philip.

Then Charles did the same and unveiled the statue of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022. 

King Charles was pictured unveiling statues of his mother, the late Queen and Prince Philip

A statue of Queen Elizabeth II (L) unveiled by King Charles and a statue of Prince Philip unveiled by Queen Camilla (R)

King Charles looked emotional as he unveiled the new statues of his mother and father today

The Princess of Wales attends the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London today

Artworks of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, were also unveiled at the Royal Albert Hall this week.

The statues, created by artist Poppy Field, ‘complete’ the building by filling the niches of its north porch, which have been empty since 1871, and its south porch, added in 2003.

The commissioning of the sculptures was awarded following a competition involving a shortlist of seven sculptors supported by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), a charity supporting excellence in British craftsmanship.

Ian McCulloch, president of the Royal Albert Hall, said: ‘It is particularly fitting for our distinctive building to mark the contribution to our history of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who supported and attended the hall devotedly for so many decades.’

The event will commemorate the service and sacrifice of servicemen and women and mark 80 years since The Battle of the Atlantic and the 70th anniversary of the Korean War.

In tribute to the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival, this year’s festival will also honour the contribution of the Windrush generation to the military.

Queen Camilla donned a black dress and multiple poppies as she attended the festival in London today

The Royal Family were pictured at The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall, London today. Pictured: From left, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, Kate, Princess of Wales, Prince William, King Charles III, Princess Anne, Queen Camilla and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence

Princess Anne was pictured at the festival today

Princess Anne greeted people at the festival in London today 

The King, 74, was pictured wearing a black blazer, white shirt, patterned tie and had a poppy pinned to his chest, showing respect to those who served for the country. He also wore his medals on his chest.

The Red Poppy – the symbol of the Royal British Legion – is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. 

The Princess of Wales wore a black pleated long-sleeved dress, along with a pearl necklace and also had a poppy attached to her frock.

Whereas the William, Prince of Wales, looked dapper in a navy suit which he paired with a striped tie and displayed his medals on his chest. 

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, greeted people at the festival today, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria were also at the event. 

On Sunday, Charles will lead the nation in remembrance at the Cenotaph following a day of violent clashes across central London between counter-protesters and police – who attempted to stop them from interfering with a major pro-Palestine march.

The Met Police said dozens of people had been arrested on Saturday, including 82 in an incident on Tachbrook Street, Pimlico, when a ‘large group’ of counter-protesters tried to reach the march.

 Counter-protesters had earlier clashed with police near the Cenotaph, ahead of a service to mark Armistice Day.

Scuffles broke out as police attempted to stop a crowd of people carrying St George’s flags marching along Embankment towards Whitehall, where the Cenotaph is located, shortly after 10am.

The group, which had been chanting ‘England ’til I die’ pushed through the police barrier, with some shouting ‘let’s have them’ as officers hit out with batons.

Further clashes with police took place in Chinatown with counter-protesters chanting: ‘You’re not English any more’ towards officers.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by many members of the Firm today

The Prince of Wales is pictured shaking hands and greeting others alongside Kate today

King Charles is pictured waving from his seat at the Royal Albert Hall 

King Charles and Queen Camilla looked in high spirits as they clapped 

Princess of Wales smiled for the cameras today 

The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh was also in attendance

Kate and William made an appearance at the festival today

A woman curtsies for Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh at the Royal Albert Hall today 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murthy attended the festival in London today

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer were also at the event 

King Charles is pictured outside the Royal Albert Hall as he unveils a statue of his late mother 

The royal couple arrived at the historic concert hall in London where they unveiled the statues ahead of the annual remembrance ceremony

The Duke of Gloucester was also at the event, donning a smart suit and displaying his medals