Rishi Sunak marks US military ties by laying wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier

A 19-gun salute echoed around the sprawling grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery during his visit to Washington DC (Kevin Lamarque/PA) (PA Wire)

Rishi Sunak has laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in recognition of the military ties between the UK and US.

On a clear, bright morning – the day after the 79th anniversary of D-Day – the Prime Minister was accompanied by Major General Trevor J Bredenkamp, commander of the Washington military district, UK defence attache Rear Admiral Tim Woods and ambassador Dame Karen Pierce.

A 19-gun salute started at 8.55am and echoed around the sprawling grounds in Virginia, competing with the constant drone of jets taking off from nearby Ronald Reagan Airport.

The national anthems of both US and UK were played by a military band.

Dozens of personnel from the US army, navy, marines, air force and coastguard, dressed in ceremonial uniforms, formed a guard of honour.

A Union Flag was carried by the party accompanying the Prime Minister as he made his way to the monument.

Flags of the military service branches and US states hung limply in the still air.

After the wreath ceremony, Mr Sunak visited the memorial amphitheatre at the cemetery.

Some 400,000 people are buried at the cemetery near Washington DC.

The handwritten message on Mr Sunak’s wreath said: “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order that we might live free. We will remember them.”