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Japan Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
U.K. kicks off party to mark 80 years since the end of World War II
A military parade, flypast and balcony appearance by the royal family on Monday kicked off four days of U.K. celebrations marking 80 years since the end of World War II. King Charles III saluted as around 1,000 members of the U.K. armed forces, joined by NATO colleagues from the United States, France and Germany, along with 11 soldiers from Ukraine waving their country's flag reached the end of the procession in front of Buckingham Palace. Tens of thousands defied the damp weather on the Union Jack-lined Mall to watch the parade, which began with Winston Churchill's 1945 victory speech, read by actor Timothy Spall. "Do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straight forward and die if need be, unconquered," bellowed Spall, standing in front of the wartime U.K. leader's statue in Parliament Square. The procession culminated in a flypast featuring fighter jet display team The Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft, which the 76-year-old monarch watched from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince William and his wife Catherine along with their children George, Charlotte and Louis. As European countries gear up to celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8, the war in Ukraine is a reminder "that peace is never to be taken for granted," Charles told the Italian parliament last month. "Today, sadly, the echoes of those times — which we fervently hoped had been consigned to history — reverberate across our continent," the king said. 'Debt of gratitude' It was from the same balcony on May 8, 1945, that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth — alongside daughters princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and then-prime minister Churchill — greeted tens of thousands of Londoners celebrating what Churchill declared the "day of victory in Europe." That night, the two princesses, then 19 and 14, were allowed to leave the palace and join the jubilant crowds incognito. Some 40 years later, Elizabeth, by then queen, described the night as "one of the most memorable" of her life. This year's commemorations will take on extra poignancy given the fading memories of World War II. Younger generations are increasingly disconnected from the conflict that shook the continent from 1939 to 1945. "It's important to remember some of the poor devils who didn't make it like I did," 99-year-old Royal Air Force veteran Dennis Bishop said. The first act on a chilly Monday morning in London was the draping of two huge Union Jack flags on the Cenotaph war memorial. Hundreds of people set up camp outside Buckingham Palace with chairs and rugs. "It's so emotional to be here today. Eighty years of peace and peace of mind. Where would we be without them?" asked Patrick Beacon, 76, who arrived with his wife at around 7 a.m. to get the "best view." Tourists included 52-year-old Ludivine Batthelot from southern France. "We came out of curiosity because it's the kind of celebration that the English do so well," she said. "It's folklore, we wanted to be in the mood and live the experience." Poppies, pubs and parties HMS Belfast — one of the few surviving British warships from World War II — which is moored on the banks of the Thames, hosted a party. And people were invited to take part in hundreds of other parties, 1940s dress-up events, picnics, installations and commemorations that take place across the country through the week until VE Day on Thursday. As part of the festivities, Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a bunting-festooned street party outside his official London residence, serving guests tea. Other treats on the menu included Victoria sponge cake, scotch eggs and pork pies. Buckingham Palace also had a garden party celebrating veterans and people of the World War II generation. On Tuesday, Queen Camilla will visit an art installation of around 30,000 ceramic red poppies — symbols of remembrance for the war dead — at the iconic Tower of London. Celebrations will draw to a close on Thursday with a two-minute national silence at government buildings. Charles, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer, will attend a service at Westminster Abbey, followed by a concert at London's Horse Guards Parade. The royal family was hoping "nothing will detract or distract" from the celebrations after Prince Harry, Charles's youngest son, gave a bombshell interview on Friday, according to U.K. media. Pubs across the country have been allowed to stay open two hours later as part of the celebrations.
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
UK kicks off VE Day celebrations to mark 80 years since end of World War II
A military parade, fly-past and balcony appearance by the royal family on Monday kicked off four days of UK celebrations marking 80 years since the end of World War II. Advertisement King Charles saluted as around 1,000 members of the UK armed forces, joined by Nato colleagues from the United States, France and Germany, along with 11 soldiers from Ukraine waving their country's flag reached the end of the procession in front of Buckingham Palace. Tens of thousands defied the damp weather on the Union Jack-lined Mall to watch the parade, which began with Winston Churchill's 1945 victory speech, read by actor Timothy Spall. 'Do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straight forward and die if need be, unconquered,' bellowed Spall, standing in front of the wartime UK leader's statue in Parliament Square. The procession culminated in a fly-past featuring fighter jet display team The Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft, which the 76-year-old monarch watched from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Advertisement
Free Malaysia Today
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
UK royals lead celebrations to mark 80 years since end of WWII
King Charles saluted as around 1,000 members of the UK armed forces reached the end of the procession. (EPA Images pic) LONDON : A military parade, fly-past and balcony appearance by the royal family today kicked off four days of UK celebrations marking 80 years since the end of World War II. King Charles III saluted as around 1,000 members of the UK armed forces, joined by Nato colleagues from the US, France and Germany, along with 11 soldiers from Ukraine waving their country's flag reached the end of the procession in front of Buckingham Palace. Tens of thousands defied the damp weather on the Union Jack-lined Mall to watch the parade, which began with Winston Churchill's 1945 victory speech, voiced by actor Timothy Spall. 'Do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straight forward and die if need be, unconquered,' bellowed Spall, standing in front of Churchill's statue in Parliament Square. The procession culminated in a fly past featuring aerobatic team The Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft, which the 76-year-old monarch watched from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince William and his wife Catherine along with their children George, Charlotte and Louis. As European countries gear up to celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8, the war in Ukraine is a reminder 'that peace is never to be taken for granted', Charles told the Italian parliament last month. 'Today, sadly, the echoes of those times – which we fervently hoped had been consigned to history – reverberate across our continent,' the king said. Poppies, pubs and parties It was from the same balcony on May 8, 1945, that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth – alongside daughters princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and then-prime minister Churchill – greeted tens of thousands of Londoners celebrating what Churchill declared the 'day of victory in Europe'. That night, the two princesses, then 19 and 14, were allowed to leave the palace and join the jubilant crowds incognito. Some 40 years later, Elizabeth, by then queen, described the night as 'one of the most memorable' of her life. This year's commemorations will take on extra poignancy given the fading of the 'Greatest Generation'. Younger generations are increasingly disconnected from the conflict that shook the continent from 1939 to 1945. 'It's important to remember some of the poor devils who didn't make it like I did,' 99-year-old Royal Air Force veteran Dennis Bishop told AFP. Buckingham Palace will later host a reception celebrating veterans and people of the WWII generation. The first act on a chilly Monday morning in London was the draping of two huge Union Jack flags on the Cenotaph war memorial. Hundreds of people set up camp outside Buckingham Palace with chairs and rugs. 'It's so emotional to be here today. Eighty years of peace and peace of mind. Where would we be without them?' asked Patrick Beacon, 76, who arrived with his wife at around 7am to get the 'best view'. Tourists included 52-year-old Ludivine Batthelot from southern France. 'We came out of curiosity because it's the kind of celebration that the English do so well,' she told AFP. 'It's folklore, we wanted to be in the mood and live the experience.' 'Debt of gratitude' Among other events, there was to be a party on HMS Belfast – one of the few surviving British warships from WWII – which is moored on the banks of the Thames. And people were invited to take part in hundreds of other parties, 1940s dress-up events, picnics, installations and commemorations that take place across the country through the week until VE Day on Thursday. Tomorrow, Queen Camilla will visit an art installation of around 30,000 ceramic red poppies – symbols of remembrance for the war dead – at the iconic Tower of London. Celebrations will draw to a close on Thursday with a two-minute national silence at government buildings. Charles, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer, will attend a service at Westminster Abbey, followed by a concert at London's Horse Guards Parade. The royal family was hoping 'nothing will detract or distract' from the celebrations after Prince Harry, Charles' youngest son, gave a bombshell interview on Friday, according to UK media. Pubs across the country have been allowed to stay open two hours later as part of the celebrations.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pride and excitement as UK crowds celebrate 80 years since WWII's end
For history teacher Martin Rizcki, the emotion of UK celebrations marking 80 years since the end of World War II became too much when Winston Churchill's words boomed out of loudspeakers to thousands outside Buckingham Palace. Rizcki was one of the many who defied chilly weather and flocked to central London's Union Jack-lined Mall for the start of four days of events marking VE Day. "It's not often that we are reminded of the courage of an entire generation," said the man in his 40s, whose parents fled Poland shortly before the war began. "No matter where we come from we can all feel and understand the significance of this day." Preparations began at dawn for some, including Patrick Beacon and his wife Catherine, both 76. They travelled from Coventry in central England and had stationed themselves on the street leading to Buckingham Palace with camping chairs and a flask of coffee by 7.00 am. They wanted to get the "best view" of the military parade kickstarting celebrations, which will run until the official anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on Thursday, and which are set to be the last major commemoration with a significant WWII veteran presence. "It's so emotional to be here today," said Patrick, who was born after the war but has vivid memories of Coventry devastated by Nazi air raids. "Eighty years of peace and peace of mind, I don't know if we understand what an achievement it is. Where would we be without them?" "For me, it's a moral imperative to be here especially at a time when war is raging," he said. King Charles III, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and thousands of spectators watched as NATO personnel from the US, France and Germany, along with a small number of Ukrainian troops, joined the procession. - Curious tourists - The spectacle also intrigued tourists, including 52-year-old Ludivine Batthelot from southern France. "We came out of curiosity because it's the kind of celebration that the English do so well," she told AFP. "It's folklore -- we wanted to be in the mood and live the experience." Monday's march of around 1,000 troops was followed by a fly-past featuring aerobatic team The Red Arrows as well as current and historic military aircraft, which the 76-year-old king watched alongside Queen Camilla and other royals from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. "I came to see the royals," said 48-year-old Marina Richards, sporting Union Jack-themed headgear and a Charles and Camilla T-shirt. "It's been a tough year especially for King Charles -- I'm glad to be here and to have a chance to see him." Celebrations will draw to a close on Thursday with a two-minute national silence, observed by the royals and at government buildings at noon. King Charles, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer for over a year, and Queen Camilla will attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, followed by a concert at London's Horse Guards Parade. adm/lcm/jwp/rmb
France 24
05-05-2025
- France 24
Pride and excitement as UK crowds celebrate 80 years since WWII's end
Rizcki was one of the many who defied chilly weather and flocked to central London's Union Jack-lined Mall for the start of four days of events marking VE Day. "It's not often that we are reminded of the courage of an entire generation," said the man in his 40s, whose parents fled Poland shortly before the war began. "No matter where we come from we can all feel and understand the significance of this day." Preparations began at dawn for some, including Patrick Beacon and his wife Catherine, both 76. They travelled from Coventry in central England and had stationed themselves on the street leading to Buckingham Palace with camping chairs and a flask of coffee by 7.00 am. They wanted to get the "best view" of the military parade kickstarting celebrations, which will run until the official anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on Thursday, and which are set to be the last major commemoration with a significant WWII veteran presence. "It's so emotional to be here today," said Patrick, who was born after the war but has vivid memories of Coventry devastated by Nazi air raids. "Eighty years of peace and peace of mind, I don't know if we understand what an achievement it is. Where would we be without them?" "For me, it's a moral imperative to be here especially at a time when war is raging," he said. King Charles III, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and thousands of spectators watched as NATO personnel from the US, France and Germany, along with a small number of Ukrainian troops, joined the procession. Curious tourists The spectacle also intrigued tourists, including 52-year-old Ludivine Batthelot from southern France. "We came out of curiosity because it's the kind of celebration that the English do so well," she told AFP. "It's folklore -- we wanted to be in the mood and live the experience." Monday's march of around 1,000 troops was followed by a fly-past featuring aerobatic team The Red Arrows as well as current and historic military aircraft, which the 76-year-old king watched alongside Queen Camilla and other royals from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. "I came to see the royals," said 48-year-old Marina Richards, sporting Union Jack-themed headgear and a Charles and Camilla T-shirt. "It's been a tough year especially for King Charles -- I'm glad to be here and to have a chance to see him." Celebrations will draw to a close on Thursday with a two-minute national silence, observed by the royals and at government buildings at noon. King Charles, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer for over a year, and Queen Camilla will attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, followed by a concert at London's Horse Guards Parade.
