VE Day 2025 LIVE: King Charles and royal family set to lead nation in 80th anniversary celebration
Today marks 80 years since Winston Churchill made a long-awaited announcement - that the scourge of war that had gripped the world for six cruel years was finally at an end. To mark the momentous anniversary, the UK has a day of pageantry on the cards, with events planned to honour those who gave their lives during World War Two to stop fascism in its tracks.
But with the rise of ugly ideologies like those peddled by Adolf Hitler making an appearance across the globe, today's celebrations seem more poignant than ever. A group of veterans has wisely reminded us "to remember is also our best hope of avoiding it ever happening again".
Kicking off events today, a monumental procession of more than 1,300 Armed Forces personnel, uniformed services and young people will march to Buckingham Palace from Parliament Square, where Churchill's iconic VE Day speech will be read by an actor at midday. Second World War veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will then be passed the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace by a young person. The procession will go from Parliament Square, down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall before finishing at Buckingham Palace.
Nexy, His Majesty and Queen Camilla will watch a Bank Holiday procession and fly-past from the Red Arrows.
07:12Ryan Fahey
How Britain will mark VE Day 80: Red Arrows flypast and events across the country
It is nearly eight decades since Winston Churchill drew the curtain on war in Europe – before telling a huge crowd: 'This is your victory.'
And next week Britain will commemorate VE Day's momentous anniversary with a display of characteristic pageantry. Events will honour the dead; those who gave their lives in World War Two to defeat fascism. But they will also remind us, as a group of veterans has poignantly conveyed, that 'to remember is also our best hope of avoiding it ever happening again'. Here, we give you the rundown on what's happening…
Military Procession
Bank Holiday Monday will see a procession of over 1,300 Armed Forces, uniformed services and young people march to Buckingham Palace from Parliament Square. At midday an actor will recite extracts from Churchill's VE Day speech. Second World War veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will then be passed the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace by a young person. The procession will go from Parliament Square, down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall before finishing at Buckingham Palace.
Public invited to VE Day 80 fly-past and procession – exact timing and locations
The King and Queen will join Second World War veterans to watch a Bank Holiday procession and fly-past featuring the Red Arrows to mark 80 years since VE Day.
The public are being invited to line the Mall for the May 5 event, which will see over 1,300 people including Armed Forces members marching to Buckingham Palace from Parliament Square. Big Ben striking midday will mark the beginning, with extracts from Winston Churchill's VE Day speech recited by an actor. Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will then be passed a Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace by a young person.
The King and Queen are set to join World War Two veterans, as well as PM Keir Starmer, to watch proceedings from a specially built platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial. Other Royals will watch too, including Prince William and Kate.
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