An air of reverence prevailed around the War Memorial in Floriana as war veterans assembled to pay tribute to the fallen of the two world wars on Remembrance Day yesterday.

Spectators, young and old, donning poppies in their lapels, hats and berets, gathered around the memorial. The dark and densely saturated clouds loomed overhead, setting the sombre atmosphere for the ceremony, yet not a single drop descended from above.

War veterans and former servicemen stood tall and proud behind their colourful standards.

Members of the Armed Forces of Malta, a guard of honour composed of police officers, the Royal Air Force and the Sea Cadets stood at attention in full regalia while the AFM band accompanied the ceremony with nostalgic tunes.

The reverence was only broken by the sound of a saluting gun and the hum of the powerful engines of three Tornadoes of the Royal Air Force's 1119F Squadron which flew past in a perfect V formation.

President Eddie Fenech Adami was the first to lay a wreath of poppies on the War Memorial. He was followed by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Chief Justice Vincent de Gaetano, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Louis Galea and Labour MP Joe Debono Grech, representing the opposition.

Wreaths were also laid by ambassadors and representatives of federations and foundations.

As soon as the ceremony was over, spectators flocked to the foot of the cenotaph to get a closer look at the multitude of wreaths. War veterans placed small wooden crosses and photographs in the soil around the memorial.

The Remembrance Day ceremony started with Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral celebrated by Archbishop Paul Cremona. During the homily, he emphasised that peace is a situation which must be conquered.