Samantha Cameron looks glamorous in her own brand's dress as she joins Victoria Starmer joins Akshata Murty at VE Day service

Daily Mail​

08-05-2025

The glamorous wives of politicians stole the show with their chic fashion choices at the VE Day Celebrations on Thursday.
Samantha Cameron, 54, oozed sophistication in a vintage-style green gown as she attending the service at Westminster Abbey to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with her husband, former Prime Minister David Cameron.
The businesswoman, 54, donned the Jacquetta Lace Maxi Dress from own clothing label Cefinn, which retails at £360.
The lace ensemble featured a signature tie-collar and scalloped edging and she completed the look with a chic wide brimmed hat and cream stilettos.
Meanwhile the UK's 'first lady' Victoria Starmer turned heads in a royal blue gown from luxury fashion brand ROKSANDA for the occasion.
The NAIARA top, which retails at £245, was paired with the matching skirt which retails at £695.
Glamorous Lady Starmer added a matching fascinator and cream stilettos to complete her effortlessly stylish ensemble.
It appeared that the mother-of-two arrived at the Abbey without her husband Britain's Prime Minister Keir, who was likely already inside the venue.
Akshata Murty wowed in a bright red vintage style tweed jacket and matching pencil skirt as she arrived with her husband and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The Indian heiress and businesswoman completed the chic ensemble with a black fascinator and matching heels.
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 began 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.
Members of the royal family began arriving at Westminster Abbey at about 11.50am.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh made their way into the historic central London church, followed by the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
David Cameron looked dapper in a three-piece suit an he donned a matching emerald green tie to his wife's dress
Also present were the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.
When the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence made their way through the abbey, they stopped to talk and shake hands with members of the congregation.
Sophie was seen folding a handkerchief and dabbing her nose after taking her seat.
The Prince and Princess of Wales then arrived.
Kate was wearing a white polkadot dress by Alessandra Rich and hat by Juliette Botterill, and earrings which belonged to William's late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Prince was dressed in a lounge suit with Household Division tie and his Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath Neck Order.
William was also wearing his Golden, Diamond, Platinum and Coronation medals.
The pair were met by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, and guided inside to meet a line-up of dignitaries including the Archbishop of York.
Glamorous Lady Starmer added a matching fascinator and cream stilettos to complete her effortlessly stylish ensemble
It appeared that the mother-of-two arrived at the Abbey without her husband Britain's Prime Minister Keir, who was likely already inside the venue
After them, the King and Queen arrived at the abbey to the sound of a trumpeters' royal fanfare.
Charles was wearing a lounge suit with medals and neck order.
Camilla was dressed in a white crepe silk dress and white coat with black stitching by Anna Valentine, with a black and white hat by Philip Treacy.
The Queen was also wearing a brooch of the 12th Lancers.
Her father, Major Bruce Shand, served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa.
A national two-minute silence was then held at midday.
The King, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales stood motionless around the Grave of the Unknown Warrior near the West Door in solemn tribute to those who fought for freedom during the Second World War.
The 78 veterans amid the 2,000-strong congregation joined in the moment of reflection as they observed the silence.
At the end of the two minute-silence, the choir sang an introit of the well-known moving extract from Robert Laurence Binyon's 1914 poem For The Fallen, which features the words 'At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them'.
The King moved forward to lay a wreath at the black marble Grave of the Unknown Warrior, followed by the Prince of Wales.
The King's message read simply: 'We will never forget' and was signed Charles R.
William wrote: 'For those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. We will remember them.' The white card was signed both 'William' and 'Catherine'.
Their floral tributes were made of seasonal flowers including pink, white and peach roses, which would have been found in bloom 80 years ago on May 8. 1945.
The prince stepped back and bowed his head in tribute after leaving his wreath.
Charles placed his wreath on behalf of the nation and the Commonwealth while William did so for the veterans and the Second World War generation.
At their side, watching from his wheelchair, was veteran Ken Hay, 99, who served in the infantry regiment.
Second World War artefacts including a gas mask and an air raid warden's helmet, representing the armed forces and the Home Front, were processed through the abbey.
The Royal Family stood with the congregation as the symbols of the conflict, from the Imperial War Museum's collection, were carried and placed near the High Altar.
Amid the hymns, wartime anthems formed 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.
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.