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Amid a sea of London’s streets filled with thousands of people, the 80th anniversary celebrations marking the end of World War Two in Europe have commenced. King Charles is presiding over the four-day Victory in Europe (VE Day) events, which include a flypast above Buckingham Palace showcasing 23 current and historic military aircraft. The ceremony kicked off at noon with actor Timothy Spall reciting Winston Churchill’s iconic VE Day speech.
In attendance alongside the King and Queen are the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, witnessing a military procession parading through the capital on Monday. The country is also witnessing various events across different locations. A procession featuring more than 1,300 individuals is making its way from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace, where the King stood up and saluted as the procession began.
Prior to the arrival of the procession, cadets and scouts present cheered and waved at the royal family eagerly awaiting from nearby paths. Following the recent passing of Elizabeth II in 2022, this year marks the first significant VE Day commemoration without any of the royals who stood on the balcony 80 years ago. On May 8, 1945, VE Day was announced after the surrender of Nazi Germany was accepted, marking the conclusion of nearly six years of conflict for Britain and its allies. The streets erupted in spontaneous celebrations following Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s declaration of the end of WW2 in Europe at 15:00.
For Maria and Chris Naynor and their grandchildren, who left their residence in Reading at 05:30 BST to secure a prime vantage point along the Mall, the excitement began early Monday morning. Armed with cream tea and gin and tonics, the Naynors aim to honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and educate younger generations on the importance of this historic event. Maria expressed disappointment in the lack of progress towards peace, with ongoing conflicts putting lives at risk. The Cenotaph in Whitehall has been adorned with a large Union flag to commemorate the milestone event, a first since King George V unveiled the war memorial over a century ago in 1920.
Gracing the Mall, attendees like Grace Gothard and Satvinder Cubb created unique outfits for the occasion, using various flags and scarves to honor those who fought for their country. Cubb emphasized the importance of unity across different nations and generations and hoped the event would help people understand the value of togetherness and peace. The Royal Family, following Prince Harry’s recent revealing interview, aims to maintain the focus on the commemorative events, steering clear of distractions. Later in the afternoon, the King and Queen will host a tea party at Buckingham Palace for around 50 veterans and family members of the wartime generation. Street parties and events across the UK will unfold, with some councils like Portsmouth waiving fees to facilitate celebrations. Buildings such as the Palace of Westminster, the Shard, and Lowther Castle will be illuminated at 21:00 BST on Tuesday in honor of the occasion
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