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Britain holds minute's silence for coronavirus dead

Britain holds minute's silence for coronavirus dead

A handout photograph released by the UK Parliament shows Members of Parliament taking part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in central London on March 23, 2021. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT " AFP PHOTO / UK PARLIAMENT " - NO USE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, SATIRICAL, MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS / AFP / JESSICA TAYLOR / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT " AFP PHOTO / UK PARLIAMENT " - NO USE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, SATIRICAL, MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Nurses stand alongside Firefighters (waering red) from Hampshire Fire and Rescue to observe a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, as part of a National Day of Reflection, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, southern England on March 23, 2020. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS

Health workers and faithful at the Fazl mosque vaccination centre take part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in southwest London on March 23, 2021. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS

A member of staff places flowers near the statue of Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole during a ceremony to observe a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, at St Thomas' Hospital, central London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / POOL / Jonathan Brady

Health workers from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary take part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in Glasgow on March 23, 2021. / AFP / ANDY BUCHANAN

Members of staff hold floral tributes as they observe a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, at St Thomas' Hospital, central London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / POOL / Jonathan Brady

Nurses stand alongside Firefighters (waering red) from Hampshire Fire and Rescue to observe a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, as part of a National Day of Reflection, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, southern England on March 23, 2020. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS

Commuters and employees take part in a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, at Waterloo Station in central London on March 23, 2021. / AFP / Tolga Akmen

Health workers from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary take part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in Glasgow on March 23, 2021. / AFP / ANDY BUCHANAN

Worshippers take part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown at Lichfield cathedral in Lichfield, central England on March 23, 2021. / AFP / Oli SCARFF

Members of the public form a queue at a coronavirus vaccination centre at the Fazl Mosque in southwest London on March 23, 2021, on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown. / AFP / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS

Health workers from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary take part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in Glasgow on March 23, 2021. / AFP / ANDY BUCHANAN

Health workers from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary take part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in Glasgow on March 23, 2021. / AFP / ANDY BUCHANAN

Worshippers receive Communion during a service of remembrance on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown at Lichfield cathedral in Lichfield, central England on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / Oli SCARFF

A pedestrian wearing a face shield due to Covid-19, stands with a Union flag-themed bag as they make a video call in front of the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament, comprising the House of Commons and the House of Lords, in central London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / Tolga Akmen

People walk past the shuttered entrance to The Gloucester pub, closed down due to Covid-19 restrictions, in London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS

A worker organises clothes on a mannequin in the window display of a Moncler shop, closed down due to Covid-19 restrictions, in London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS

A member of staff observes a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, at St Thomas' Hospital, central London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / POOL / Jonathan Brady

Staff and military personnel hold floral tributes to place at the statue of Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole during a ceremony to observe a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, at St Thomas' Hospital, central London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / POOL / Jonathan Brady

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (L) stands with with other MSPs and Parliament staff as they observe a minute's silence on the anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh, on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / Jane Barlow

Cleaning products are pictured on empty table inside the Greene King operated Tatteralls Tavern pub, closed-down due to Covid-19 restrictions, in London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / JUSTIN TALLIS

NHS England Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens observes a minute's silence during a ceremony on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, at St Thomas' Hospital, central London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / POOL / Jonathan Brady

Chief Spiritual Adviser Mia Hilborn (C), NHS England Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens (CL) and Guys and St Thomas' NHS Trust Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer Dr Ian Abbs (CR) observe a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, at St Thomas' Hospital, central London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / POOL / Jonathan Brady

A member of staff places flowers at the statue of Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole during a ceremony to observe a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown, at St Thomas' Hospital, central London on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / POOL / Jonathan Brady

Staff from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary take part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in Glasgow on March 23, 2021. / AFP / ANDY BUCHANAN

Worshippers light candles following a minute's silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown at Lichfield cathedral in Lichfield, central England on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / Oli SCARFF

Worshippers attend a service of remembrance on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown at Lichfield cathedral in Lichfield, central England on March 23, 2021. Britain on Tuesday marked the anniversary of its first coronavirus lockdown with a minute's silence in tribute to the more than 126,000 people who have died -- one of the world's worst tolls. / AFP / Oli SCARFF

Health workers from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary take part in a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown in Glasgow on March 23, 2021. / AFP / ANDY BUCHANAN

Vergers look at 4,161 lit candles representing each death from Covid-19 in Lancashire county, following a service by Dean of Blackburn, Peter Howell-Jones at Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, northwest England on March 23, 2021, the first anniversary of the first national Covid-19 lockdown. / AFP / Paul ELLIS

Updated 23 March 2021 19:08

March 23, 2021 18:53

Britain's parliament and sites across the country held a minute's silence at noon (1200 GMT) on Tuesday to mourn more than 126,000 of its people who have died of Covid-19.

Queen Elizabeth II said in a message: "As we look forward to a brighter future together, today we pause to reflect on the grief and loss that continues to be felt by so many people and families, and pay tribute to the immeasurable service of those who have supported us all over the last year."