Armed forces from Nato allies will join a procession in London to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe, as Sir Keir Starmer said this week’s events are a reminder that victory was “not just for Britain”.
Personnel from the US, France and Germany will be among those joining the military procession in London on Monday as part of events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
The words of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech, spoken by actor Timothy Spall, will begin the commemorations, which will feature displays by the Red Arrows, appearances by senior royals and street parties across the UK.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Bank Holiday Monday to hear the performance of Churchill’s speech and take in the military procession and a flypast.
The events will start the build-up to Thursday May 8, which marks exactly 80 years since the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender.
The King, Queen and other members of the royal family are looking forward to all the week’s VE Day events, a Palace aide said.
“They will unite with the rest of the nation and those across the Commonwealth and wider world in celebrating, commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation whose selfless devotion duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all – and must never be forgotten.”
Sir Keir Starmer said the stories we will hear this week from those who fought are a reminder that “our victory was not just for Britain”.
“It was also a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil.
“VE Day is a chance to acknowledge, again, that our debt to those who achieved it can never fully be repaid,” the Prime Minister said in an open letter to veterans.
Alan Kennett, a 100-year-old Normandy veteran, will start the procession involving more than 1,300 members of the armed forces and youth groups.
They are set to march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.
The Nato detachment, which will also include personnel from Poland, Lithuania and Sweden, will march in the procession wearing the uniforms of their respective nations under the Nato flag.
Representatives of the Ukrainian military, selected from the UK armed forces’ training programme for Ukrainian recruits Operation Interflex, will also take part.
The Cenotaph will be dressed in Union flags.
The procession begins after Mr Kennett receives the Commonwealth War Graves’ Torch For Peace by air cadet Warrant Officer Emmy Jones.
The King, Queen, Sir Keir and Second World War veterans will be on a platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
Members of the royal family are later expected to make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast.
Following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, this year will be the first landmark VE Day commemoration without any of the royals who stood on the balcony that day.
In 1945, large crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.
The young Princess Elizabeth sneaked out into the streets to join the celebrating crowds and later spoke of being swept up in a “tide of happiness and relief”.
Street parties will be held in towns and cities across the UK as part of the special events – including community tea parties, 1940s dress-up events, and gatherings aboard Second World War warships.
Local authorities throughout the country have offered support for communities and organisations wishing to hold a VE Day street party, with some councils such as Portsmouth waiving fees to close roads for the celebrations.
The Palace of Westminster, the Shard, Lowther Castle in Penrith, Manchester Printworks, Cardiff Castle and Belfast City Hall are among hundreds of buildings which will be lit up from 9pm on Tuesday.
A new display of almost 30,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London is also set to form another touching tribute.
The poppies have been set to resemble a wound to reflect the long-lasting sacrifices made during the war.
A service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence of reflection and remembrance on Thursday, where veterans will be part of the congregation.
Horse Guards Parade will then hold a live celebratory concert to round off the commemorations.
Pubs and bars have also been granted permission to stay open for longer to mark the anniversary.
Venues in England and Wales which usually close at 11pm will be able to keep serving for an extra two hours to celebrate.
Churches and cathedrals across the country will ring their bells as a collective act of thanksgiving at 6.30pm, echoing the sounds that swept across the country in 1945, the Church of England said.
