In pictures: World leaders, royals and the public mark 100th anniversary of the Armistice

Thousands of people across the world gathered in capitals, beside monuments and in front of their leaders to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Emmanuel Macron gave a pointed speech in Paris as Donald Trump, Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin joined him and other world leaders in a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that brought an end to the First World War.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, at the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, France, November 11, 2018. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS

Over 60 heads of state and government took part in the solemn ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the French capital.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Elysee Palace before the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause

Macron warned against the dangers of nationalism and said the “ancient demons” that caused the First World War and millions of deaths are growing stronger. 

He said: “Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism: Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism.”

U.S. President Donald Trump visits the Suresnes American Cemetery as part of the Paris commemoration ceremony. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/Pool

Services of remembrance were also held in Australia, New Zealand and Commonwealth nations, as tens of thousands of people paused to reflect on the innumerable lives given to a conflict a century ago.

Meanwhile, commemorations started in the UK at dawn with hundreds of bagpipers across the country playing a lament at 6am.

Prince Charles laid a wreath at the cenotaph in London on behalf of his mother. In an historic first, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president, also laid a wreath during the ceremony. It is the first time that a German representative has done so.

Britain’s Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, attends a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in Westminster, London, Britain, November 11, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

The Queen watched from a nearby balcony, flanked by the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall. While the pregnant Duchess of Sussex watched with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s wife, Elke Budenbender.

Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at an Armistice Service at Westminster Abbey in Westminster, London, Britain, November 11, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Almost ten million soldiers died in the First World War, as events are taking place around the globe to commemorate the end of the Great War.