Tower of London surrounded by poppies lit up to mark VE Day
At the stroke of 9pm, an expectant hush fell upon the Tower of London. A bell tolled the hour and the ravens crowed as they flew about their domain.
It was not a designated moment of silence but a beat of poignancy before the band struck up. Then, to the sound of American swing, the White Tower turned red as 30,000 poppies were illuminated.
The veterans looked on from their wheelchairs, wrapped in blankets against the chilly night. In the crowd too were young cadets and, soon after the formalities were over, the youngsters ran off through the grounds to get a better look.
The ceramic poppies were reused from a poignant design from 2014
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD POHLE
The Queen viewed the installation on Tuesday before the poppies were illuminated
STEFAN ROUSSEAU/PA
It was a dazzling end to an evening that, like most other VE Day commemorations this week, had balanced poignant remembrance
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