
‘This is your victory': Churchill's VE Day radio address to be broadcast by Timothy Spall
Eighty years after Winston Churchill addressed the nation from Downing Street with the words 'This is your victory!' a recitation of his famous VE Day speech will be broadcast as the nation commemorates the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945.
Events across four days of national UK commemorations include a military procession through central London on Monday, with tens of thousands expected to line the route from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace, and a service at Westminster Abbey on the 8 May anniversary on Thursday.
Timothy Spall as Churchill in The King's Speech. Photograph: Cinetext/Allstar Collection/Momentum Pictures/Allstar
The actor Timothy Spall, who portrayed Churchill in the film The King's Speech, will read extracts from the wartime prime minister's VE Day broadcast on Monday, as the Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, formally starts the procession after being handed the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace.
More than 1,300 members of the armed forces and youth groups will march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace watched by the king and queen, senior royals, the prime minister and a number of second world war veterans.
Members of the royal family will then watch a flypast from the palace balcony where, 80 years ago, George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret made multiple appearances before a cheering crowd. Later, Charles and Camilla will host a tea party reception for about 50 veterans and members of the second world war generation at Buckingham Palace.
The Cenotaph, the nation's focal point of remembrance, will be bedecked in union flags for the duration of the four-day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen.
VE Day 80 street parties, barbecues and get-togethers have been organised by communities across the country, including a party on HMS Belfast, from which were fired some of the opening shots on D-day in 1944 and which protected Arctic convoys during the war.
An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London on Tuesday, comprising 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display. On Tuesday evening, hundreds of buildings across the country will be lit up, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament. A Scotland Salutes VE80 concert will take place at Usher Hall in Edinburgh.
On Wednesday, the Parliament Choir will host a Victory in Europe Day anniversary concert in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster. At a VE Day event at the Imperial War Museum North in Greater Manchester, jointly produced by the IWM and the National Theatre, a performance will be based on wartime letters submitted by members of the public. A national service of remembrance will be held at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.
Winston Churchill is mobbed by crowds in London after his VE Day broadcast. Photograph: Northcliffe Collection/ANL/Rex/Shutterstock
The actual anniversary on Thursday will be marked with a service at Westminster Abbey, to begin with a national two-minute silence. Commemoration events will conclude with a concert at Horse Guards Parade attended by about 10,000 people. The concert will feature stars of stage and screen including John Newman and dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry and Sheila Hancock, as well as military musicians, and tell the story of victory and the legacy of the second world war in Europe.
Read More Red Bull appoints Havas Media Network to UK account
Looking ahead to the commemorations, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, said: 'This 80th anniversary is a moment of national unity. A time to celebrate that hard-won peace, honour the memory of those who lost their lives, and remember the sacrifices made by so many to secure our freedom.
'Their legacy lives on today in how we stand together in defence of the values they fought for and which bind us together as a nation. This week, we come together to salute their service.'
skip past newsletter promotion
Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
after newsletter promotion
Victory in Europe Day, celebrated on 8 May each year, marks the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945. With German surrender eagerly anticipated, many had already draped their houses with bunting and bought union flags.
On VE Day 1945, the then Princess Elizabeth, dressed in her Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform, slipped out of the palace and joined the cheering crowds outside incognito. She once described it as 'one of the most memorable nights of my life'. This will be the first significant VE Day anniversary without her.
Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, said: '80 years ago millions of people celebrated the end of the second world war in Europe. This week, we will recreate this moment across towns and cities, in our homes, in pubs and on our streets.
'We must do all we can to ensure that the stories and memories of this period in our history are not forgotten. We must not forget the hardships, the heroics and the millions who lost their lives.
'We are here because of the sacrifices they made and the horrors they endured. This week, I urge the nation to come together and send a powerful message: we will remember them.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Duchess Sophie Subtly Took a Side in William & Harry's Feud Amid Reports He Caused ‘Irreparable Harm' to the Royals
The drama in the British royal family has everyone taking sides. How could it not be so, considering King Charles is very sick, succession plans are reportedly underway, and Prince Harry is feuding with his father and his brother, Prince William, at the same time. Recently, reports surfaced that some royals might be looking to fix the rift between the brothers, among them Kate Middleton, but things remain frosty as of now. Prince Harry recently gave an interview in which he spoke openly about wanting to put the rift with his family behind him. 'I would love reconciliation with my family. There's no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious,' Harry said, explaining that the issue of security has 'always been the sticking point' in his recent family troubles. The Prince also said that while 'there have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family,' he's now 'forgiven' them. More from StyleCaster Charles' Funeral Could Be the Last Time Harry & William Ever See Each Other Again Amid Claims There's 'No Turning Back' in Their Feud Harry & Meghan Accused Charles of Taking a Swipe at Their Kids Amid Reports He 'Didn't Want' Archie & Lili to Have This Royal Perk Related: Did William really cheat on Kate? But whether the rest of the family feels the same remains to be seen. The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, stepped out with Prince William for a joint engagement on June 6th, seemingly sending a message about where she stands, as she and her nephew smiled and looked to get along great during the joint appearance. The Duchess and the Prince attended the Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge, Cornwall, together. Prince William is patron of the association, while his aunt Sophie is the vice president. The two are not often paired for royal outings, which made it all the more remarkable that they attended together. Usually, if William is doing joint outings, it's with his wife Kate Middleton, and the same goes for Duchess Sophie with her husband, Prince Edward. Other royals have seemingly come in support of King Charles, and by extension, Prince William, recently. A few days after Prince Harry's interview, King Charles, Princess Ann,e and other members of the British royal family—including Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—were photographed watching the VE Day commemorations from their balcony at Buckingham Palace. Princess Anne's appearance with the family has also been interpreted as a sign of support. This comes as reports indicate William and Harry's relationship is irrevocably broken, and Prince William will look to take harsh action against his brother when he takes the throne. 'It's no secret William wants Harry more harshly dealt with. He thinks he has betrayed the family from top to bottom, which is the ultimate Windsor crime. It wouldn't take much to provoke him to flex his muscles when he is king,' a palace insider told The Daily Beast. Royal expert Hilary Fordwich also told Fox News that Harry's behavior has had quite an impact on the royal family and his reputation in the U.K. 'He is oblivious to the fact that his privileged upbringing was a blessing compared with most,' Fordwich said. 'His behavior is causing irreparable harm nationally, as he was once much loved and second in popularity only to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.' She continued, 'He doesn't serve his country, he only serves himself. That is abhorrent to all the British and British values.' For now, it seems like the royals are sticking together. Well, all but Prince Harry, his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two kids. Best of StyleCaster The 26 Best Romantic Comedies to Watch if You Want to Know What Love Feels Like These 'Bachelor' Secrets & Rules Prove What Happens Behind the Scenes Is So Much Juicier BTS's 7 Members Were Discovered in the Most Unconventional Ways
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
The Internet Can't Handle These Striking New Photos of Prince William
When it comes to the royal fam, we can always count on a top tier recap. Whether it's commemorating VE Day, hosting tea parties or showing up in style to just about anything, we're basically guaranteed to get a photo dump (with major glam). And right on cue, Prince William's latest appearance totally delivered. The Prince of Wales stepped out on June 4 to visit the Army Air Corps and, yes, Kensington Palace came through with the photos. Like, really came through. The lead image on Instagram shows William looking laser-focused on a computer screen—and he is looking good. His skin is practically glowing, the fan-favorite scruffy beard is on full display. It's serving quiet confidence in the best way. Also worth noting: the man is in full military uniform. We're talking camo top to bottom, complete with a blue beret that seriously makes his eyes pop. Then there's the shot of him laughing with some kids, just being his full-on dad self. Wholesome and charming? Check and check. And can we talk about that profile pic? The lighting is working overtime—he's giving 'future king with a halo' energy. Arthur Edwards -And royal fans agree. They were quick to flood the comments with praise. 'Always a good day when William is in uniform!' Another added, 'That beard is fulfilling its responsibility.' Someone else chimed in with, 'The social media manager knows EXACTLY what they're doing.' While a fourth added, 'Wait, Prince William is hot again? I say this with the utmost respect.' Arthur Edwards -Beyond the aesthetics, this outing actually marked a pretty significant milestone for William. It was his first official visit as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps—a role passed down to him by King Charles in May 2024. "Proud to visit the Army Air Corps as its Colonel-in-Chief. Great to spend time with the soldiers and their families here at Wattisham Air Base," read the caption of the Instagram post recapping the event. Arthur Edwards -"Thank you for the warm welcome and heartening to see the strength of the regiment's community," the caption continued. "Very impressed by the relentless commitment, physical capability and mental acuity on display at the combat PT session. An excellent reflection of the Army Air Corps' readiness and professionalism!" "A huge thank you to the soldiers and families of the AAC for the warm welcome — and for everything you do," the post concluded. And a huge thank you to that royal photographer, too. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Prince William Gets Candid in Emotional New Statement About Grief
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Post Box Museum hosts Bank Holiday display of knitted art
The Isle of Wight Post Box Museum offered a special Bank Holiday treat. The museum opened its doors to the public, while members of the Isle of Wight Women's Institute (WI) were treated to an exclusive preview, as these photos show. Organised by Pauline Rippon from Gurnard WI, the event showcased nearly 100 handmade post-box toppers. These were knitted and crocheted by women from across the Island. WI guests enjoy ice cream beside handcrafted post box toppers (Image: IOW WI) The toppers, featuring designs such as an Isle of Wight cyclist, Noah's Ark, an escaped convict, a mad hatter's tea party, The Beatles, and several commemorating the armed forces and VE Day, were praised for their creativity. Pauline also contributed a topper representing the Alzheimer Cafe, with the slogan 'all in the same boat'. She arranged a raffle for the day. The event, which included an ice cream van, was deemed a success by all who attended. The museum was open to the public for the Bank Holiday weekend.