Britain celebrates 80th anniversary of WW2's end in Europe with major events
Today marks eight decades since the most deadly conflict the world has ever seen came to a triumphant end - with Brits set to remember the sacrifices of the brave men and women who risked their lives to stomp out the evils of fascism. The sacrifices of the Second World War veterans and their generation will be remembered during a national service of thanksgiving to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
While the main event will be held in London, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family coming together for a memorial service at Westminster Abbey at 12pm, street parties and thanksgiving events will also be taking place up and down the country. The service will start with a two-minute silence to remember Britain's war dead . Similar services will also be held abroad, with Germany even set to make Victory in Europe Day a public holiday for the first time in history.
The commemorations in the UK, which follow on from Monday's Bank Holiday celebrations, will conclude with a concert at Horse Guards Parade where crowds of 10,000 people are expected to attend. Stars like John Newman, dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry and Sheila Hancock will be retelling the harrowing stories of what life was like under the bleak cloud of war.
Scotland will be holdind a number of events around the country to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
At 1pm, a thanksgiving service is being held at Glasgow Cathedral. Among the guests will be military representatives, veterans' organisations, emergency responders 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.
Politicians will also attend, including deputy first minister Kate Forbes and Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill.
Identical twins born on VE Day will celebrate their 80th birthdays together.
Pamela and Victoria Gamesby were born in their grandparents' front parlour in Orwell Street, Middlesbrough, on May 8, 1945 as crowds gathered to celebrate VE Day.
Pamela was first born, weighing 4lbs, closely followed by 3lb Victoria – a true surprise package because parents Jack and Clare Gamesby had no idea they were having twins.
The family briefly became local celebrities, with a photo of the proud parents and their VE Day duo appearing in the Gazette. And for an unexpected VE Day baby, Victoria's full name – Victoria May – was very deliberately chosen, reports Teesside Live.
Throughout their lives, the pair have had an inseparable bond that perhaps only twins can understand. And although Victoria – known as Vicky – now has dementia, Pam will be by her side as usual for a birthday celebration at the Rugby care home Vicky now lives in.Pamela – known as Pam – said: 'The doctor didn't think we would survive but we're still here 80 years later."
Veterans affected by the ban on LGBT people in the military will take part in official VE Day Commemorations today for the first time.
They'll take part in a service at Westminster Abbey, and in a concert in the evening on nearby Horse Guards Parade.
They include Vito Ward, who was discharged in 1970 from the Women's Royal Naval Service for being gay.
She said: "This is a very special occasion for me as a newly reinstated veteran. If anyone had said to me I'd be included in official VE Day events - even ten years ago- I'd never have believed them."It comes the day after Lord Etherton, the first openly gay High Court judge, who led the government's damning review into the ban, died aged 73.
As many as 20,000 armed forces personnel were jailed, dismissed for their sexuality or outed against their will before the rule on service was lifted in 2000.
Then-PM Rishi Sunak finally said sorry last July, in a victory for campaigners and the charity Fighting With Pride - with victims promised compensation.
LGBT ban victims take part in official VE Day celebrations for the first time
Eighty years ago today, millions of Britons took to the streets to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War 2.
News that the war had ended in Europe was broadcast by the BBC over the radio to a delighted public late on May 7. Brits were told the following day, May 8, would be a national holiday called Victory in Europe Day.
It led to incredible scenes with events organised across the country, including parades and street parties, as communities came together to mark the end of nearly six years of war.
On VE Day, Winston Churchill made a national radio broadcast and later appeared in central London in front of huge cheering crowds.
Huge numbers of people also gathered at Buckingham Palace, where King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, appeared.
VE Day LIVE as it happened in 1945 when Brits celebrated end of WW2 in Europe
Sir Keir Starmer is currently giving a press conference as VE Day is set to begin. You can watch along with his speech below.
Hundreds of street parties, parades and events are being held across the UK this week as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day - put your postcode into our interactive guide to see if there is an event near you.
Local councils around the country will be closing roads for communities to come together in street parties to celebrate the anniversary. There are also events planned in town halls, community centres, churches and schools in every area. Other events planned for this 80th milestone, include local beacon lighting events across the four countries of the United Kingdom, picnics in the parks, musical events, and parades.
A survey of councils found that Portsmouth was among the areas most likely to hold a street party this week with thirty-two residential streets closed off. In Wales, it's Merthyr Tydfil with nine. In the London borough of Redbridge there are 20 street closures for neighbourhood parties.
VE Day events list in full: Search your postcode to find out what is happening near you
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