Alfie Boe has described his upcoming performance at the 2026 Festival of Remembrance as "a blessing," ahead of the event this weekend at London's Royal Albert Hall. The West End star will sing a classical version of Snow Patrol's Run, accompanied by a 100-piece choir and the Royal Air Force band.
Senior royals will join veterans and serving personnel on Saturday, November 7, for the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance. Presented by Clive Myrie, the evening features performances from Alfie Boe, James Emmanuel, Mica Paris, Rita Wilson and Tom Odell, alongside the Band of Royal Air Force Regiment and the Bands of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band) and Collingwood.
An Honour and a Gift
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Friday, November 6, Alfie told presenters Charlie Stayt and Rachel Burden: "It's such an honour."
"I mean that word, honour, to be honest is not big enough but to stand on stage and be able to celebrate our Veterans present and past on that special evening is such a gift and such a blessing to be able to do that and show my own personal respect that I have for them and gratitude for what they've done for our country and our lives."
He added: "I'll be singing a beautifully emotionally song called Run by the band Snow Patrol but it's a very classical version. It's got the full orchestra. We have a 100-piece choir and the Royal Air Force band are joining us as well so I think I'm going to have to sing very loud."
Themes of Remembrance
Through moving individual accounts, the festival examines the lives of people affected by war. During a year commemorating major milestones of deployments in Bosnia, the conclusion of the Gulf War and the Iraq War, veterans, bereaved relatives and families still living with the consequences of military duty share their stories.
Their stories connect with present-day service families as they discuss the challenges of deployment and time apart in 2026. Central to this year's festival is the concept of spaces of remembrance, investigating how locations linked to those lost can carry deep personal significance. From national monuments and recognisable sites to gardens, football grounds and peaceful spots in daily life, individuals throughout the UK reveal the spaces where they commemorate and feel connected to departed loved ones.
Commemorations Continue Sunday
As the festival concludes, the Royal Albert Hall observes a two-minute silence while poppies descend in an emotional recognition of all who have served and made sacrifices.
Sophie Raworth and Petroc Trelawny host live broadcasts from London on Sunday, November 8, as members of the Royal Family lead the Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph. Senior royals will be joined on Whitehall by prominent UK politicians, alongside representatives from the armed forces, the Commonwealth, and faith communities, for the two-minute silence at 11am and the National Service of Remembrance. This will be followed by the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and the march past of 10,000 veterans as the country pays tribute to all those who have lost their lives serving Britain.
