Thousands of people across the country have come together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe as the first of four days of celebrations commences. The King, Queen and Prime Minister were joined by World War 2 veterans on the mall to watch thousands of serving troops march by.
The parade concluded with a flypast conducted by the RAF, which saw an original Lancaster bomber lead in a fleet of modern aircraft, culminating in the Red Arrows screeching over Buckingham Palace. Royal commentators praised the Royal Family, with Prince George drawing praise for his “confident” demeanour. Judi James told the Express: “William, Kate and their three children looked like an even tighter royal unit than ever, thanks to Louis’s more grown-up behaviour and George’s disappearing traits of shyness.” The 11-year-old also delighted royal fans by attending the veteran’s tea party at Buckingham Palace.
That concludes our live coverage. For more, visit www.dailyexpress.co.uk
The Royals came onto the Royal balcony to witness the flypast (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
KEY EVENTS
- Where you can watch the Red Arrows flypast – full list of timings10:49
- VE Day procession and flypast mapped08:33
- Thousands head to Mall as celebrations begin07:43
- Full list and timings of VE Day celebrations06:20
Celebrations continue tomorrow
Tomorrow evening, 30,000 ceramic poppies will be lit up at the Tower of London to “mark and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War”.
The poppies which will be viewed by the Queen, were orignally put in place in 2014 to mark 100 years since the start of the First World War
(Image: Getty)
The Prime Minister hosts veterans outside number 10
The Prime Minister is hosting veterans and current members of the armed and emergency services outside Number 10.
(Image: Getty)
(Image: Getty)
George talks with veterans
Prince George has been photographed talking with veterans after attending his Grandfather the King’s afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace.
(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Prince George joins the King for afternoon tea
Prince George has joined his parents and the King and Queen for afternoon tea in Buckingham Palace.
It was previously understood from Kensington Palace that the Wales children would not be joining their parents at the veteran’s tea party inside Buckingham Palace, so Prince George’s decision to attend the event came as a delight to royal fans.
Royal expert Judi James suggested that Prince George appeared confident throughout the VE day commemorations.
She told the Daily Express: “William, Kate and their three children looked like an even tighter royal unit than ever, thanks to Louis’s more grown-up behaviour and George’s disappearing traits of shyness.”
Street parties in full swing
The flypast and military parade has concluded, with the thousands of people who filled the Mall beginning to move on.
However, across the country, celebrations are in full swing, with street parties taking place across the UK.
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(Image: )
The Cenotaph draped in a Union Jack
The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union Flags for the duration of the four day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen.
From today, it will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.
The Cenotaph will remain draped in the flag for the entirety of the commemorations (Image: Jeff Moore/PA Wire)
The Cenotaph was draped in a Union Jack when it was unveiled in 1920 (Image: Getty)
Stunning pictures of fly past emerge
More photographs of the Red Arrows storming over Buckingham Palace have emerged with the Royal Family stood on the balcony to take in the spectacle.
(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
(Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
RAF flypast wows the crowds
An RAF flypast, led by a WW2 Lancaster bomber has wowed crowds along the Mall.
The King, Queen and members of the Royal Family came out onto the Royal balcony as the veteran aircraft led a procession followed by modern day airframes such as the A400M and C-17.
The highlight, as ever, was the Red Arrows who soared down the mall with blue, white and red streaking out of thier tails.
(Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
(Image: Getty)
Moment Prince Louis mocks Prince George during VE Day celebrations
Prince Louis sparked a right royal fan frenzy after he appeared to mock his older brother, Prince George, during today’s commemorations for VE Day. The young prince appeared alongside his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and siblings, in central London as they all took their seats in the royal box ahead of the military procession.
During one moment, George appeared to fix his hair that seemed to have fallen on his face and seconds later, Louis appeared to mimic his brother’s moment, leaving him speechless.
Read the full story here.
WWII veterans escorted to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea
Second World War veteran Gilbert Clarke is escorted into Buckingham Palace following the military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and in honour of those who served during the Second World War, at Buckingham Palace.
Veterans have been invited to Buckingham Palace. (Image: PA)
King Charles salutes military procession
King Charles III takes the salute from the military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and in honour of those who served during the Second World War.
King Charles salutes the procession. (Image: PA)
Ukrainian troops march past Parliament Square
Members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have marched past Parliament Square as they partake in the military procession.
Ukrainian troops are part of this year’s proceedings. (Image: PA)
Video shows Royal Family arriving for VE Day commemorations
The Royals have arrived to watch the military procession and flypast.
VE Day: Royals take their seats for military procession
Royals take their seats as procession approaches
The Royal Family have taken their seats near the Queen Victoria Memorial as the military procession approaches Buckingham Palace.
Sir Keir Starmer is also in attendance.
The Walesses have taken their seats. (Image: PA)
The Queen is sat next to Sir Keir Starmer. (Image: PA)
Prince and Princess of Wales arrive alongside children
Prince William and Princess Kate have arrived to watch the procession and flypast, along side their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are also in attendance.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived. (Image: PA)
Military procession underway as march heads to Queen Victoria Memorial
The military procession has begun. It will go from Parliament Square to Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, along The Mall, and ending at the Queen Victoria Memorial.
The procession has begun. (Image: Getty)
King and Queen arrive to watch procession and flypast
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived ahead of the military procession and flypast.
The King and Queen have arrived. (Image: Getty)
Princess Anne spotted arriving for VE Day procession
Princess Anne was seen arriving ahead of the VE Day parade this afternoon, due to begin at 12:10pm.
Princess Anne arriving ahead of the procession. (Image: Getty)
Princess Anne arriving ahead of the procession. (Image: Getty)
George VI’s international address after WWII revealed
After a war that killed 384,000 British soldiers and 70,000 civilians, George VI said in a broadcast to Britain and the Commonwealth at 9pm on May 8, 1945: “Let us remember those who will not come back, their constancy and courage in battle, their sacrifice and endurance in the face of a merciless enemy; let us remember the men in all the services and the women in all the services who have laid down their lives. We have come to the end of our tribulation, and they are not with us at the moment of rejoicing.”
King and Queen prepare to make appearance from special memorial
The vantage point from which King Charles and Queen Camilla, and veterans, will view the VE Day military parade is from a specially constructed dias on the Queen Victoria Memorial, which commemorates her death in 1901 and was unveiled by Charles’s great-grandfather King George V in 1911.
Crowds building around Mall in anticipation of procession and flypast
There was talk this VE Day parade and flypast might be met with a shrug of the shoulders and some indifference, certainly compared to the coronation almost exactly two years ago, yet despite the chilly conditions crowds are starting to build with less than 90 minutes until the procession leaves Westminster for Buckingham Palace.
Where you can watch the Red Arrows flypast – full list of timings
RAF Waddington: 1.05pm
West of Martin, Hampshire: 1.07pm
South of Great Hale: 1.09pm
Oversea: 1.18pm to 1.32pm
Vicinity of Woodbridge Airfield: 1.35pm
Vicinity of Colchester: 1.39pm
Vicinity of Woodford: 1.46pm
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: 1.47pm
Buckingham Palace: 1.48pm
Vicinity of Brentford: 1.50pm
East of Mickleham: 1.52pm
South of Longstock: 2.01pm
Bournemouth EGHH: 2.06pm
Head of VE Day procession addresses Ukrainian troops in march
Garrison Sergeant Major Vern Stokes, in charge of the military procession, said it was “right” for Ukrainian and NATO troops to be involved in the march.
He told BBC Breakfast it serves as a reminder that “allies really do matter”.
He said: “Eighty years ago we were stronger together and today we are stronger together, and it’s just a reminder for us that allies really do matter and it’s nice for them to be able to take part.
“Today is very much their day and we’re very proud to be able to honour them.”
Sir Keir Starmer: ‘We owe a debt of gratitude’ to veterans
Sir Keir Starmer posted a VE Day message online, honouring veterans of WWII and other conflicts.
He wrote on X: “We owe a debt of gratitude to those prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“That’s why we are giving veterans better access to housing, employment, health and welfare support.
“As we celebrate VE Day, we honour all those who have served in our armed forces.”
Revellers arrive at the Mall ahead of procession and flypast
People have begun arriving along the Mall in order to secure prime viewing spots for the processsion and flypast this afternoon.
People have arrived at the Mall. (Image: PA)
People have arrived at the Mall. (Image: PA)
VE Day procession and flypast mapped
The map below shows the locations of the military procession and flypast this afternoon.
The procession and flypast will happen this afternoon. (Image: Gov.uk)
Early morning VE Day prep underway as Cenotaph draped in flags
The Cenotaph has been covered with Union flags ahead of VE Day. The military procession this afternoon will pass the monument.
Thousands head to Mall as celebrations begin
Veterans are set to celebrate the end of the Second World War with the Royal Family today.
A series of events, including a flypast, will be taking place today to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of WW2 in Europe.
Veterans aged from 98 to 104 are set to meet King Charles for a tea party at Buckingham Palace later today.
A 98-year-old former prisoner of war, a 99-year-old who served in the Desert Rats and took part in the D-Day landings and a 100-year-old woman who worked in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), known as Churchill’s Secret Army, are among 30 veteran guests of honour, according to the Royal British Legion (RBL), who helped organise the event.
They will have prime spots to watch the military parade and flypast in central London as the nation’s VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations begin.
VE Day rehearsals in pictures ahead of 80th anniversary
Rehearsals for the VE Day military procession took place yesterday ahead of today’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
VE Day rehearsals. (Image: Getty)
VE Day rehearsals. (Image: Getty)
What will the weather be like for VE Day commemorations?
The Met Office has forecast a relatively dry day, with a 40% chance of rain at 12pm, dropping down to 30% at 2pm.
The greatest chance of rain will be at 1pm, when it’s predicted to be 50%.
Overall, temperatures should be mild, ranging between 12C and 14C.
Royal Family prepare to make appearance in first VE Day without Queen Elizabeth
King Charles and Queen Camilla will appear on the balcony to watch the Mall procession and Red Arrows flypast.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and Sir Tim Laurence are all expeced to join.
There has been no confirmation yet as to whether Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be seen.
Full list and timings of VE Day celebrations
12pm: Parliament Square ceremony
The ceremony will involve actor Timothy Spall reading Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech.
The military procession will prepare to make its way to Buckingham Palace.
12:10pm: Military procession begins
The procession will go from Parliament Square to Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, along The Mall, and ending at the Queen Victoria Memorial.
13:45pm: Red Arrows flypast
The flypast will take place over The Mall and Buckingham Palace.
The public will be allowed onto The Mall after the military procession has finished to get a better view of the flypast.
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of VE Day. Follow along throughout the day for all the latest updates.
