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Metro
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
What VE Day 2025 celebrations are happening across the UK this week?
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video After thousands flocked to Buckingham Palace to watch the red arrows flyover, Brits can look forward to more celebrations this week to marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Events are set to take place all next week to celebrate the end of World War II in Europe. A military procession took place from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace yesterday on Bank Holiday Monday, with the Royal Family taking to the balcony. It featured a display of pageantry by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, showcasing ceremonial traditions of the British Armed Forces. Winston Churchill's famous Victory Day speech was also recited as Big Ben struck noon. The celebrations are honouring the moment Allied forces accepted Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945. Military procession in central London A troop march will be held on May 5 from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace, via the Mall, ending with a red arrows fly past. Poppy display at the Tower of London 30,000 ceramic poppies will be installed at the Tower of London, with the Queen opening the display on May 6. Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert The Parliamentary Choir will hold a celebratory concert in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament on May 7, marking the moment the nation was first informed of Victory in Europe. Beacons lit across the UK 2,500 beacons will be set alight at key locations across the country, from Tower Bridge in London to Bridport in Dorset and beyond. VE Day celebrations began in Parliament Square, where Harry Potter icon Timothy Spall read out words from Winston Churchill's famous victory speech. The 68-year-old actor, whose roles include Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Chicken Run, read extracts from the speech in which Churchill told Britons 'This is not victory of a party or of any class. It's a victory of the great British nation as a whole.' A poignant moment followed, when the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace will be passed from a young person to a 100-year-old Second World War veteran. The event culminated in the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows roaring overhead, leaving behind them red, white, and blue smoke. The King and Queen welcomed and members of the wartime generation at Buckingham Palace for a tea party. There will also be an afternoon street party and an evening do at HMS Belfast, the most significant surviving Second World War warship. Winston Churchill's family home, Chartwell in Kent is planning lots of fun activities and music to celebrate his role in the momentous day. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The moving display of 30,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London, first installed to mark the centenary of the First World War in 2014, will return to the historic fortress. The Queen will view the poppies when they go on display, with a small part of the installation visible for free to the public. Historic landmarks across the country will also be lit up on the Tuesday evening. A Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert will be held in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament, hosted by the Parliament Choir. The performance will mark 80 years since a newsflash informed the nation that the next day would be VE Day. This is the actual VE Day. A service will take place at Westminster Abbey, which will serve as both 'an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war'. A two minutes silence will be held across the country, led by UK government buildings and departments. A private tea party will also be held for Second World War veterans and their families by the British Legion. There's a good chance a street party will be taking place near you. Those with country parks, gardens, community halls and quiet roads are asked to unfold the chairs and tables and host a party. And expect a lot of bell ringing, too. Cathedrals have been asked to ring their bells at 6.30pm in a united call to 'work for peace', explained Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, chair of the Association of English Cathedrals. A concert will also take place at Horseguards Parade from 8pm to mark the end of commemorations. More than 12,500 people will attend the event, including the King and Queen. Pubs will also be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours, allowing revellers to celebrate the end of celebrations at 1am on the Friday morning. Capping off May 8, 2,500 beacons will be set alight across the UK. The fires will be lit around 9pm at focal points at various points in the country, including at London's Tower Bridge. While there are no more official events being organised by the government, many local and community events are still scheduled for Friday and the weekend after VE Day. A 1940s style dance will be roaring away in Wouldham, Rochester, while The Royal Irish Regiment will be holding a lively concert in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland on 10 May. On the same day, the Veterans Memorial Garden in Glasgow wifollowed by a veterans parade. This will finish at the Lincoln Inn where there will be a buffet, music and raffle. More Trending In the Yorkshire village of Catton, there will be a vintage-themed day featuring Second World War memorabilia and vehicles. A similar event is also set to take place in Keelby village hall, in Lincolnshire. There is a handy website available to find all the closest VE Day events near to you. The government has put together this web page to list 780 activities happening throughout the week of festivities. There is even space to add your own event and get help on how to bring people together to celebrate. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: How did World War II end – and why do Europe and the US recognise different dates? MORE: Queen tells veteran how her 'lucky' dad survived being shot in face during war MORE: 'Real gentleman' dies in house fire after 'hero' neighbour tried to pull him from flames
The Guardian
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
VE Day 80th anniversary ceremony to begin with flypast and military procession in central London
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Keir Starmer has praised the 'selfless dedication' of those who have served in the military before the anniversary of VE Day as the government unveiled a new £50m support system for veterans. In an open letter to mark 80 years since the end of the second world war in Europe, the prime minister said the sacrifice made by members of the armed forces was a debt that could 'never fully be repaid'. He said the country would show how thankful it was during events to commemorate VE Day, which signalled the end of fighting on 8 May 1945. 'It was also a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil,' Starmer wrote. 'VE Day is a chance to acknowledge, again, that our debt to those who achieved it can never fully be repaid.' Starmer said his thoughts would turn both to those who served in the second world war and those who carried 'the torch of their legacy' today. 'Alongside our history and our values, service is the other great force that binds a nation together,' he said. 'So this week, I want you to know: the whole nation is inspired by the selfless dedication of your example.' Share Midday BST: The ceremony begins in Parliament Square when Big Ben strikes midday, and an actor will recite extracts from the iconic Winston Churchill VE Day speech. A young person will then pass the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace to Alan Kennett, 100, a Second World War veteran who served in the Normandy campaign. The Torch for Peace is an enduring symbol, honouring the contributions made by individuals, which will act as a baton to pass and share stories to future generations. At 12.10 BST The procession will make its way to Buckingham Palace. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery will then lead the procession from Parliament Square, down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph which will be dressed in Union Flags, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall through to Buckingham Palace where the procession will finish. They will be followed by a tri-service procession group featuring marching members of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. Cadets from all three services and other uniformed youth groups will also take part in the procession to ensure the message of VE Day is handed down to a new generation. The Prime Minister and Second World War veterans supported by the Royal British Legion will watch the procession from a specially built dais on the Queen Victoria Memorial. The King and Queen will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales to watch the procession At 1.45pm BST a flypast featuring the Red Arrows and current and historic aircraft will take place The King and Queen will host a tea party at Buckingham Palace for veterans, families and members of the wartime generation. VE Day 80 street parties, picnics and community events will take place around the country. Share Welcome to live coverage of the UK commemorations of VE Day. On 8 May 1945, Winston Churchill announced that the war in Europe was over and crowd took to the streets to celebrate. Commemorative evens will be held across the UK and further afield over the next week to mark the anniversary with a procession down Whitehall and a flypast from the Red Arrows over central London later today. There will be a service in Westminster Abbey on Thursday and, in August, another commemoration of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day). Share Explore more on these topics
Metro
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Metro
Is VE Day 2025 a bank holiday in the UK?
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Thousands of people are set to line the streets in London next week to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day. The celebrations will cap off a week of commemorative events 80 years after World War II ended on May 8, 1945. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Royal Family will also be in the audience for the Red Arrows flypast, a Churchill speech performance, and a military procession of 1,300 armed forces members. The procession will begin in Parliament Square, with a recital of Winston Churchill's famous VE Day speech, the moment Big Ben strikes noon. Alan Kennett, a 100-year-old veteran who served in Normandy, will then be handed the Torch for Peace before the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery lead a procession down Whitehall. Kennett, who travelled to Normandy with the Royal British Legion for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, called it a 'huge honour' and said the day 'brings back so many memories'. While Victory in Europe (VE) Day is officially May 8 – the date the Second World War came to an end in 1945 – commemorations will kick off on the May bank holiday from Monday, May 5. Celebrators will be able to see the Cenotaph draped Union flags, as well as a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace. May Day also promises an RAF flypast over London. That Thursday on May 8, there will be a party at Horse Guards Parade shown live on BBC One. Plus, pubs and bars that usually close at 11pm can keep serving for an extra two hours on May 8. People are encouraged to celebrate VE Day in many ways, from lighting beacons and bonfires to taking part in the 'big bake', where people are encouraged to bake an orange and ginger cake. 'I am delighted to provide a recipe for the official Women's Institute cake in recognition of Britain's women's incredible effort during WWII, for VE Day 80,' said author Nancy Birtwhistle. 'My recipe was used by my own grandmother who lived through two world wars,' she added. 'Her recipe doesn't require mixers or whisks, and the batter will not curdle. 'This is my tribute to the women preserving food, and working tirelessly using simple methods and ingredients in those times.' Schoolchildren are also being asked to do 'Victory Veg' displays. Making a 'V' out of red, white, and blue fruits and vegetables they've grown, or make a piece of artwork or digital collage. VE Day, May 8, is not a bank holiday. Instead, the early May bank holiday, May 5, has been dedicated to community celebrations marking the anniversary. These are the upcoming bank holidays in England and Wales for 2025: May 5 – early May bank holiday May 26 – Spring bank holiday August 25 – Summer bank holiday December 25 – Christmas Day December 26 – Boxing Day Those wanting to celebrate the on the day itself should not despite, however. That is because pubs will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours, allowing revellers to celebrate until 1am on the Friday morning. As the country celebrates the end of the Second World War, many will betreating themselves to a takeaway or some fast food. Most McDonalds, Greggs and KFC outlets will operate normal hours on bank holiday Monday. Monday May 5 Union Jacks will be draped over the Cenotaph and a military procession will take place from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace – including the Red Arrows roaring over the capital and beyond. Street parties will be held across the country on the bank holiday. Tuesday May 6 The moving display of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London, first installed to mark the centenary of the First World War in 2014, will return to the historic fortress. Wednesday May 7 A Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert will be held in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament, hosted by the Parliament Choir. Thursday May 8 This is the actual VE Day. A service will take place at Westminster Abbey, which will serve as both 'an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war'. A concert will also take place at Horseguards Parade to mark the end of commemorations. There's a good chance a street party will be taking place near you. Those with country parks, gardens, community halls and quiet roads are asked to unfold the chairs and tables and host a party. And expect a lot of bell ringing, too. Cathedrals have been asked to ring their bells at 6.30pm in a united call to 'work for peace', explained Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, chair of the Association of English Cathedrals. Friday August 15 Marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, a service will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum. The Royal British Legion will partner with the government to honour those who died in the war in the Far East. All three fast food chains have store finds, which you can use to double check before you visit. More Trending For those caught up watching all the commemorations at home on TV, home delivery could be on the cards. McDonalds, Greggs and KFC all have outlets on the main delivery apps Uber Eats, Deliveroo or Just Eat This article was originally published on April 25, 2025 Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: PLT launch stunning summer dress – and it's over £200 cheaper than its designer counterpart MORE: My fiancé drinks so much he falls asleep during sex — should I call off our wedding? MORE: Best VE Day celebrations across the UK – from Red Arrows flypast to royals and street parties
The Independent
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
What is VE day and how will the King and Queen celebrate it?
The King and Queen will be leading the nation in marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. The VE Day events will pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War. It is set to kick off on Monday May 5, with a military procession starting in Parliament Square at midday featuring 1,300 members of the armed forces. An actor will also recite extracts from Winston Churchill's famous VE Day speech. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery will then lead the procession from Parliament Square, down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall through to Buckingham Palace, where the procession will finish. The Royal Family is set to be front and centre of the commemorations, with Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke of Kent also set to join prime minister Sir Keir Starmer on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace. The Royals will then return to Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past from the balcony, featuring the Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft. The King and Queen will later host a tea party for around 50 veterans and people who lived through the war – this includes British and Commonwealth Armed Forces and those who contributed to the war effort on the home front. Mark Atkinson, firector general of the Royal British Legion, said: 'The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a special moment for the country and the Royal British Legion is incredibly proud to put Second World War veterans at the heart of the commemorations. 'It's important we remember those who went to war, who fought for the freedom of not just Europe but everywhere, and those who risked their lives and never made it back.' The commemorations will continue to May 6, where Queen Camilla will view a display of 30,000 ceremonial poppies at the Tower of London. Then on May 8, the entire Royal Family will gather at Westminster Abbey for a Service of Thanksgiving, where they will lay flowers at the Innocent Victims' Memorial. Later that evening, the King and Queen will attend a celebratory concert from Horse Guards Parade.
The Herald Scotland
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Riders from King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery rehearse complex VE Day routine
The artillery were then seen practising a complex procedure known as a Musical Drive, where mounted gun teams performed choreographed manoeuvres before mock-firing 13-pound First World War-era guns. Sergeant Paul Renton, 41, from Coventry, told the PA news agency that the unit is training in more complex manoeuvres than those they will perform at the VE Day parade. A member of The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery prepares the horses (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 'If we can do a Musical Drive, the ceremonial parade is a walk in the park,' he said. In a Musical Drive, six-horse teams pull wheeled field guns at speed, echoing First World War military traditions, and perform technical moves such as the 'scissor' where gun teams cross. 'We cannot afford to get it wrong,' Sgt Renton said. 'We are the senior regiment of the British army and it is nice to know that.' Following VE Day, the unit has a long summer ahead which will see them appear at the Royal Windsor Horse Show between May 15 and May 18. The rehearsals took place at Woolwich Garrison (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Captain Iain Ritchie, who served in Nato's enhanced forward presence in Estonia, said the VE Day celebrations feel important, given the context of the war in Ukraine. 'Today, I think the sacrifices that those men and women made 80 years ago is even more relevant,' he said. Captain Ritchie described how his grandfather, who was in the Royal Navy, influenced his ambition to join the forces, saying: 'I have his medals in my office and his pocket watch that he carried with him throughout the war still sits with me today. 'I'm sure VE Day means different things to all the soldiers but, you know, we've got to remember the sacrifices that those men and women made for us.' Lance Bombardier Harry Hoult, 21, from Leicestershire, will be riding as the lead driver of a gun team in the VE Day parade. 'It's an incredible opportunity for me,' he said. 'My grandad is really proud. He had relatives who would have served in the war. 'He told me how proud he is of me. He is shocked really that people like me, so young, are on parade – front and centre. 'It is a chance of a lifetime,' he added. A horseshoe is made in the forge (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Gunner Sallyanne Burberymayes, 27, from Brighton, described how excited her father, Alan, is to see her involved in the historic day, as he also served in the past. 'He is just as passionate as I am about it. He's my number one fan,' she said. Gunner Burberymayes, who as a first-year apprentice farrier is learning the skilled craft of shoeing cavalry horses, added from her spot in the forge: 'The family are telling people to look out for me on TV.'
