The Royal Family joined veterans and politicians at Westminster Abbey today for a national service of thanksgiving marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla led the royals in London as they commemorated the sacrifices of Second World War veterans and their generation.
They were joined by Prince William, Kate, Prince Edward, Sophie, Princess Anne, Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was also present – but there was unsurprisingly no Prince Harry or Meghan Markle, five years after they stepped down as senior royals.
A handwritten note on a wreath from the Prince and Princess of Wales said: ‘For those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War, we will remember them.’ Another from the King on his wreath stated: ‘We will never forget.’
Charles wore a lounge suit with medals and neck order, while Camilla wore a white crepe silk dress and white coat with black stitching by Anna Valentine, with a black and white hat by Phillip Treacy and a brooch of the 12th Lancers.
On May 8, 1945 the nation celebrated Victory in Europe (VE) Day with church bells ringing out across the country and people gathering to revel in the end of hostilities, with crowds gathering outside Buckingham Palace calling for King George VI.
After almost six years of fighting against Hitler’s Nazi regime peace was declared, although the war against Japan would continue until August 15 that year.
During today’s service ten-year-old Alexander Churchill, the great-great-grandson of wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, will light a candle of peace as young members of the congregation hand out white roses to Second World War veterans.
The live televised service on BBC One will begin with a national two-minute silence at 12pm in honour of those who made sacrifices during the conflict, both on the front line and at home, to protect people’s freedom and shared values.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service of thanksgiving
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service today
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive at Westminster Abbey this morning
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service of thanksgiving
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service of thanksgiving
The Princess of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend the service of thanksgiving
Second World War veterans and guests attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service today
Princess Anne arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend the service of thanksgiving today
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service today
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester at Westminster Abbey
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service today
(left to right) The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent at Westminster Abbey
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at Westminster Abbey for the service today
After the silence, Charles and William will lay wreaths of seasonal flowers, which would have been in bloom in May 1945, at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
The King will do so on behalf of the nation and the Commonwealth, and William for the veterans and the wartime generation, with 99-year-old Ken Hay, who served in the 4th Dorset infantry regiment, at their side.
Second World War artefacts including a gas mask and an air raid warden’s helmet, representing the armed forces and the Home Front, will be processed through the abbey.
The Royal Family will stand with the congregation as the symbols of the conflict, from the Imperial War Museum’s collection, are carried and placed near the High Altar.
Amid the hymns, wartime anthems will form the soundtrack to the anniversary commemorations with The White Cliffs Of Dover sung by Zizi Strallen and When The Lights Go On Again (All Over The World) played by the RAF band.
At the end of the service, the tune of We’ll Meet Again made famous by forces sweetheart the late Dame Vera Lynn will be heard.
The song was channelled in 2020 by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who expressed the sentiment in her televised address to the nation at the start of the pandemic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrives at Westminster Abbey to attend the service today
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves arrives to attend the service of thanksgiving
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (left) and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (third from left)
Former Conservative Party prime ministers Boris Johnson and Lord David Cameron today
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at Wesminster Abbey this morning for the service
Former Prime Minister Lord David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron arrive today
Former Tory prime ministers (left to right) Boris Johnson, Lord David Cameron and Rishi Sunak
A Second World War veteran attends a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey today
Former prime minister John Major and wife Norma Major arrive to attend the service today
MPs and peers walk in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey today
Former home secretary Priti Patel attends the thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey
Second World War veteran Dorothea Barron attends a service of thanksgiving today
A Chelsea Pensioner attends a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London today
Second World War veteran Marie Scott attends a service of thanksgiving in London today
The music will also include Hubert Parry’s Songs Of Farewell, which was sung at the late Queen’s state funeral.
On VE Day, the then-Princess Elizabeth, just 19, secretly celebrated among the crowds who gathered on the streets of London with sister Princess Margaret, jubilant that peace had come to Europe after Nazi Germany’s surrender.
A setting of words from Psalm 46 by Sir John Rutter, which was composed specially for a service to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2020 that was unable to go ahead due to the Covid-19 lockdown, will be performed for the first time on television today.
An extract of Sir Winston’s VE Day speech will be played in the church, and actor Josh Dylan will read a moving letter by Fredrick Burgess, a serving soldier on the front line, written to his seven-year-old son.
Actress Nina Sosanya will share a letter written by Janet Thornton to her young daughters on VE Day, and Cadet Warrant Officer Bethan Holmes will read from the memoir of Joan Broome, a 15-year-old girl, of her experience of VE Day in London
Some 78 veterans are expected to attend alongside Sir Keir, who will give a Bible reading.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan arrives at Wesminster Abbey this morning for the service
MPs and peers walk in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey today
A Second World War veteran attends a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey today
Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle
Veterans arrive this morning to attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss and her husband Hugh O’Leary arrive this morning
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin arrives for today’s service of thanksgiving
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
A Second World War veteran attends a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey today
Liberal Democrat party leader Sir Ed Davey (third from right) walks in procession this morning
Defence Secretary John Healey arrives to attend the service of thanksgiving today
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arrive at Westminster Abbey
Tzipi Hotovely (right), Israeli Ambassador to the UK, arrives at Westminster Abbey today
Outside the abbey Kate will join Camilla and other royals in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial outside the abbey’s West Door in tribute to all victims of war and oppression as the proceedings draw to a close.
Camilla, Kate, Sophie, Anne and the Duchess of Gloucester will place posies and Sir Tim, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent will leave white roses at the large circular slate.
The bells of the abbey church will be ‘fired’ 80 times – meaning all 10 bells will be sounded simultaneously to produce a powerful clashing sound.
The gesture is generally reserved for great celebrations, anniversaries and rejoicing.
The sermon will be delivered by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, the temporary leader of the Church in England in the absence of an Archbishop of Canterbury.
The King and Queen, accompanied by other members of the Royal Family, will meet and spend time with the veterans in the abbey’s nave at the end of the service.
Also in attendance will be senior government and military representatives, members of the Diplomatic Corps, service chiefs, parliamentarians, former British prime ministers and representatives of faith communities.
Four days of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day will culminate this evening with a concert in London’s Horse Guards Parade attended by the King and Queen.
Veteran Ken Hay, who served in the 4th Dorset infantry regiment, at Westminster Abbey today
Foreign Secretary David Lammy (left) walks in procession from the Palace of Westminster
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service of thanksgiving
A veteran arrives at Westminster Abbey for today’s service of thanksgiving for VE Day
MPs and peers walk in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey today
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
A veteran arrives at Westminster Abbey for today’s service of thanksgiving for VE Day
Veterans arrive this morning to attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey
Tzipi Hotovely (right), Israeli Ambassador to the UK, arrives at Westminster Abbey today
There will be performances by The Darkness, Toploader and classical singer Sir Willard White.
UK Government buildings and departments will remember and thank those who fought with a silence at noon today, with other organisations invited to follow suit.
Pubs and bars have been granted permission to stay open for longer to mark the anniversary.
Venues in England and Wales which usually close at 11pm will be able to keep serving for an extra two hours to celebrate.
Churches and cathedrals across the country will ring their bells as a collective act of thanksgiving at 6.30pm, echoing the sounds that swept across the country in 1945, the Church of England said.
Tonight’s VE Day party, presented by Zoe Ball, will air from 8pm to 10pm on BBC One.
Celebrations have been ongoing since Monday, when Ukrainian troops joined British soldiers in a parade through Central London followed by an RAF flypast.
On VE Day – May 8 1945 – short ‘thanksgiving for victory’ services were held every hour in the abbey from 9am to 10pm, with an estimated 25,000 people attending.
Veteran Gilbert Clarke (right) arrives at Westminster Abbey for today’s service of thanksgiving
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arrive at Westminster Abbey
Veteran Harry Winter, who served with the Tiger Squadron and 427 Squadron and spent time as a prisoner of war in Germany, meets young service personnel at Westminster Abbey today
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at Wesminster Abbey this morning for the service
MPs and peers walk in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey today
A member of the congregation arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service of thanksgiving
A veteran arrives at Westminster Abbey for today’s service of thanksgiving for VE Day
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, arrives at Westminster Abbey for the service this morning
Veteran Harry Winter, who served with the Tiger Squadron and 427 Squadron and spent time as a prisoner of war in Germany, meets young service personnel at Westminster Abbey today
Speaking ahead of today’s service, Alexander Churchill said it is ‘very important’ for his generation to thank Second World War veterans and to ‘never forget’ those who fought for freedom in Europe.
He added that he felt ‘very honoured’ to have been chosen to participate in the commemoration.
Alexander said: ‘My great-great-grandfather’s very important to us and we’re just very proud to know that he is part of our family and also I think it’s very important for our generation, my generation, to say thank you to all the veterans and everyone who took part in the war because I think that’s very important.’
He continued: ‘I think people can learn that they should never forget all of the people who have sacrificed and helped us restore freedom to England and Europe and also I think it’s very important that they should carry on fighting for freedom.’
Of his part in the service, Alexander added: ‘I feel a bit nervous, but I think that’s all right.’
Meanwhile Sir Keir said VE Day was ‘a hugely important part of our history, of which we should be extremely proud as a country’.
The wreath will be laid by King Charles III during the service of thanksgiving in London today
A handwritten note on the wreath which will be laid by King Charles III at today’s service
The wreath which will be laid by the Prince of Wales during the service at Westminster Abbey
A handwritten note from Prince William and Kate on a wreath to be laid during the service today
The order of service for the service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London today
The Sir Winston Churchill memorial plaque on the floor of Westminster Abbey in London today
The order of service for the service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London today
Speaking to the We Have Ways Of Making You Talk podcast in 10 Downing Street, he said: ‘I’ve got children who live in peace and in a democracy as a result of other people, which is incredible.
‘And then, you know, the reminder with the Ukrainian contingent in the procession, that the idea that this was all just history and it doesn’t matter now somehow is completely wrong. Those values of freedom and democracy matter today.’
Adding that he felt a ‘personal responsibility’ for maintaining the peace that Europe has largely enjoyed since 1945, he said he was determined to ensure the Nato alliance – ‘the cornerstone of that peace’ – continued ‘for decades to come’.
He went on to say his work with French president Emmanuel Macron to create a ‘coalition of the willing’ showed Britain could ‘step up as a country’ as it did 80 years ago.
Britain and France have been at the forefront of the coalition and planning for a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine should a ceasefire be agreed between Kyiv and Moscow.
Sir Keir said: ‘If you’re really going to make a difference, you have to go at the speed of those that want to go furthest.
‘When you’ve got a group, or a coalition of any sort, the temptation is always to go at the speed of the country that wants to move most slowly or is more cautious for different reasons.
Sir Winston Churchill’s great-great-grandson Alexander Churchill, 10, will take part in the thanksgiving service marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Westminster Abbey today
Scotland’s National Piper Louise Marshall playing a lament to the fallen at dawn on Portobello Beach in Edinburgh today, overlooking the Firth of Forth on the 80th anniversary of VE Day
‘I think what we’ve done with the Coalition of the Willing is to break through that and say, no, if we go at the pace of the sort of most reluctant or most cautious member, then we’re going to be going very slowly and not very far.’
In Scotland, a service of thanksgiving will also take place at Glasgow Cathedral at 1pm, with guests including representatives from the military, veterans’ organisations, emergency services and religious groups.
Members of the Royal British Legion, the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), and the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA) will be taking part in the service, along with their families.
A number of elected officials are also set to be in attendance, including Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill.
The anniversary is also being marked in Scottish Government buildings, where a two-minute silence will be observed at midday.
The Scottish Government’s Victoria Quay and St Andrew’s House buildings in Edinburgh will also continue to be lit up in red as part of a campaign to light significant buildings across the UK.
Edinburgh Castle was among the buildings to be lit up in red on Tuesday in the run-up to the anniversary.
Memorial events are also set to continue in Lerwick aboard vessels that arrived there from Norway on Tuesday, in commemoration of the Shetland Bus that operated between Scotland and Norway during the war.
Huge crowds at Trafalgar Square celebrate VE Day in London on May 8, 1945
VE Day celebrations in London’s East End on May 8, 1945, marking the end of the war in Europe
A crowd assembles in front of Buckingham Palace to cheer the Royal Family on May 8, 1945
Prime minister Winston Churchill with Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, Princess Elizabeth (left) and Princess Margaret waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on VE Day
The 80th anniversary of VE Day is also being marked with events across Northern Ireland.
Secretary of State Hilary Benn described an opportunity to remember the ‘huge sacrifice made by that great generation’ at the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Last night, some landmark buildings in Belfast were lit up to mark VE Day, including Belfast City Hall in red, as well as Parliament Buildings in blue.
Later today, beacons will be lit across a number of locations including Bangor, Newtownards, Lisburn, Armagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Londonderry and Coleraine.
Mr Benn took part in a number of visits across the region.
He officially opened a special Second World War exhibition at Antrim Castle Gardens, before travelling to the Ulster Aviation Society, where he met veteran Fred Jennings.
He also visited the NI War Memorial Museum, which focuses on Northern Ireland’s role in the Second World War and the impact that the war had on its people, and attended a Service of Remembrance at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh.
