The King and Queen have unveiled portraits commissioned to mark their coronation, two years on since they were crowned.
Charles and Camilla gave the world the first glimpse of the separate full-length state portraits on display at the National Gallery, with artist Peter Kuhfeld saying he hoped his depiction of the monarch captured “the man and the King”.
The monarch and his wife were crowned two years ago on May 6 during a Westminster Abbey ceremony steeped in symbolism and history watched by millions.
The anniversary comes as the royal family continues to attend VE Day celebrations this week, to mark 80 years since the end of the war.
Camilla will appear at the Tower of London on Tuesday afternoon to view a new display of ceramic poppies, placed to “reflect on the lasting legacy of conflict”.
The visit comes after Buckingham Palace’s balcony hosted commemorations - eight decades after King George VI first marked the Second World War’s end from the same spot.
Key Points
- Prince Louis steals show at VE Day commemorations
- Latest hearing in Prince Harry legal claim against Mail publisher due to begin
- Royals to continue VE day commemorations
- Hundreds of thousands watch flypast and host tea parties to mark VE Day
- King and Queen unveil coronation portraits
Meghan posts heartwarming birthday message for Prince Archie
16:19 , Athena StavrouThe Duchess of Sussex has wished happy birthday to “our sweet boy” Prince Archie, saying: “He’s six! Where did the time go?”
Meghan shared a photograph on her Instagram of her eldest child, who was pictured from behind as he stood watching a vibrant orange sunset.
She captioned it “Our son. Our sun”, adding: “Happy 6th birthday to Archie!
“Thank you for all of the love, prayers, and warm wishes for our sweet boy. He’s six! Where did the time go?”
Meghan thanked friends who celebrated at a recent party, writing: “And for all of you who came to celebrate with us at his party last weekend, thank you for making his birthday so incredibly special” – followed by a red heart emoji.
Watch: Gun salute marks anniversary of the coronation of the King and Queen
16:01 , Athena StavrouKing follows in grandfather’s footsteps by not wearing medals
15:29 , Athena StavrouEighty years after King George VI marked Victory in Europe Day without adorning his uniform with medals, his grandson, King Charles III, followed suit.
At Monday’s VE Day parade in central London, the King opted for a similar display of understated commemoration.
Donning his naval No.1 dress uniform, he observed the military procession and flypast, commencing four days of national celebration.
A closer look at the King and Queen's new portraits:
14:58 , Athena Stavrou
Poignant commemorations mark first VE Day without late Queen
14:47 , Athena StavrouGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSIGN UP
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The 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe marks the first major VE Day commemorations to be held in the absence of Queen Elizabeth II.
The late Queen was meant to publicly lead the 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2020, but the Covid pandemic scuppered plans for widescale in-person national celebrations.
She died in 2022 and her eldest son the King will now steer the nation as tributes are paid to those who served during the conflict.
Read the full story:
Poignant commemorations mark first VE Day without late Queen
Watch: Veteran helps Queen Camilla with blanket at VE Day commemorations
14:22 , Athena StavrouHigh-profile individuals allege ‘web of illegal acts’ by Mail publisher, court told
13:54 , Athena StavrouThe cases of group of high-profile individuals bringing legal action against the Daily Mail’s publisher allege a “web of illegal acts”, the High Court has heard.
The Duke of Sussex and six others, including Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, are bringing legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).
At the start of a two-day preliminary hearing on Tuesday, the group’s barrister, David Sherborne, said lawyers for ANL had been “excessive” when redacting documents exchanged between the sides earlier this year.
In written submissions, the barrister said the “overbroad redactions” by lawyers for ANL had made many documents “incomprehensible or extremely time-consuming to analyse”.
Mr Sherborne later added: “The claimants’ cases allege a web of illegal acts – pulling on threads of that web may reveal more of the pattern.”
Pictured: King and Queen unveil official coronation portraits
13:32 , Athena Stavrou
Display of 30,000 poppies across Tower lawn
13:17 , Athena StavrouA 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.
The installation comes 11 years after the original exhibit of 888,246 ceramic poppies in 2014.
The planes involved in Monday's flypast for VE Day 80
12:59 , Athena Stavrou- Lancaster
One of only two airworthy Lancasters left in the world, it was built at the Vickers Armstrong Broughton factory at Hawarden Airfield, Chester, on May 31 1945.
The war against Japan ended before it was deployed and it did not take part in any hostilities, but it remains a symbol of those who died in service of the country.
– Voyager
The Voyager, based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, is a modified civilian passenger aircraft. Capable of carrying up to 291 passengers and cargo all over the world, this Voyager was flown by Flight Lieutenant Jason Alty, Flight Lieutenant Will Ricketts, Flight Lieutenant Andy Theobald and Sergeant Handibode.
– A400M Atlas
The Airbus A400M Atlas military transport aircraft, a contemporary plane, can carry up to 37 tonnes and 116 passengers. It was used heavily when the UK evacuated civilians from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
– C-17 Globemaster
The C-17 Globemaster is a long-range aircraft which can carry heavy loads and is used in combat as well as humanitarian missions. It has been used to support operations in the UK and overseas including providing support to Ukraine and delivering aid to the Middle East during the crisis in Gaza.
– P8 Poseidon MRA1
Based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, the Poseidon is a maritime patrol aircraft. It has sensors and weapons for anti-submarine warfare, and can also be used in search and rescue efforts. It can detect, identify and monitor targets above and below the waves.
– Typhoon FGR4
There were six Typhoons involved in the flypast, flanking other aircraft as they flew over London. Typhoons are based permanently at RAF Coninsby in Lincolnshire and Lossiemouth, where they are ready to respond to potential threats in UK and Nato air space, the Ministry of Defence said.
– Rivet Joint
An electronic surveillance aircraft, Rivet Joint has sensors which can detect emissions from communications, radar and other systems. It has been used as part of Operation Shader, the UK’s contribution in ongoing military intervention in Iraq.
– F-35B Lightning
Flying on each wing of the Rivet Joint were F-35B Lightning jets from RAF Marham in Norfolk. The F-35B Lightning is a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft that can operate from aircraft carriers including the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class ships.
– The Red Arrows
The Red Arrows, formally known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, provided the colourful finale to the flypast. Since the Red Arrows’ first season in 1965, they have performed almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries. The Red Arrows are led by Red 1, Squadron Leader Jon Bond.
The former frontline Typhoon pilot, from Essex, joined the RAF in 2006. The 2025 season is his second year as team leader, responsible for choreographing the new display routine, which is seen by millions of people at big events and air shows.
UK landmarks to be lit up
12:59 , Athena StavrouMajor landmarks across the UK are set to be lit up on Tuesday night to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day.
The Houses of Parliament, the Shard, Lowther Castle in Penrith, Manchester Printworks, Cardiff Castle and Belfast City Hall are among hundred of buildings across the country which will be lit up from 9pm on Tuesday to mark the big day.
Watch: King Charles and Queen Camilla unveil coronation anniversary portraits
12:29 , Athena StavrouKing and Queen unveil official coronation portraits
11:51 , Athena StavrouCharles and Camilla have unveiled their official state portraits during a visit to the National Gallery on Tuesday.
The King and Queen visited the gallery’s newly refurbished Sainsbury’s Wing ahead of its official opening and unveiled the portraits to mark the second anniversary of their coronation.
King and Queen visit newly refurbished National Gallery to unveil official portraits
11:31 , Athena StavrouQueen Camilla and King Charles visited the newly refurbished Sainsbury Wing during a visit to The National Gallery on Tuesday.
The couple will unveil their official Coronation State Portraits by Peter Kuhfeld and Paul S. Benney, now part of The Royal Collection to mark the second anniversary of their Coronation.
lThe portraits will be revealed in the Central Hall, followed by the reopening of the refurbished Sainsbury Wing.
Royal fans celebrate VE Day in handmade Union flag dresses
11:12 , Athena StavrouTwo royal fans wore handmade dresses to celebrate VE Day at Buckingham Palace.
Grace Gothard, from Ghana, made a Union flag dress and hairbow for the occasion. She said the creation took her two weeks to make.
Describing the dress, she said: “I made this dress personally. So anytime there’s any royal occasion I make my own dresses. It took two weeks to make.
“The last one was the King’s coronation, and that dress is in a museum now.”
Ms Gothard began making the dresses in 2011, starting with the Prince and Princess of Wales’ royal wedding in 2011.
Her coronation dress is now on display at the London Museum, alongside accessories such as the shoes she also made.
King follows in grandfather’s footsteps by not wearing medals
10:56 , Athena StavrouEighty years after King George VI marked Victory in Europe Day without adorning his uniform with medals, his grandson, King Charles III, followed suit.
At Monday’s VE Day parade in central London, the King opted for a similar display of understated commemoration.
Donning his naval No.1 dress uniform, he observed the military procession and flypast, commencing four days of national celebration.
What VE Day celebrations will be happening this week?
10:41 , Athena StavrouA number of events will be held this week to mark the 80th anniversary of Europe’s liberation from the Nazis on Thursday.
Monday saw hundreds of thousands line the streets of central London to watch a military procession and a flypast.
On Tuesday the Queen will visit a new display of almost 30,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London - set to resemble a wound to reflect the long-lasting sacrifices made during the war.
UK landmarks including the Palace of Westminster, the Shard and Belfast City Hall will also light up from 9pm on Tuesday.
On Thursday, a service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence of reflection and remembrance.
Horse Guards Parade will then hold a live celebratory concert to round off the commemorations, as churches and cathedrals across the country will ring their bells as a collective act of thanksgiving at 6.30pm.
In the evening, pubs and bars have been granted permission to stay open for longer to mark the anniversary.
Watch: Prince George meets veterans in surprise appearance at VE Day tea party
10:27 , Athena StavrouThe Prince of Wales has told of Prince George’s interest in learning about the Second World War, as veterans attended a Buckingham Palace tea party.
Prince George, 11, can be seen joining William and his mother the Princess of Wales, along with the King and Queen and other members of the royal family, to meet veterans.
The Prince of Wales told 101-year-old Alfred Littlefield, from Portchester that George is “interested” in learning about those who served.
Watch the video here:
Prince George meets veterans in surprise appearance at VE Day tea party
Latest hearing in Duke of Sussex legal claim against Mail publisher due to begin
10:14 , Athena StavrouA further hearing in the Duke of Sussex’s High Court claim against the publisher of the Daily Mail is set to begin on Tuesday.
Harry and several other high-profile individuals, including Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, actresses Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley, and politician Sir Simon Hughes, are bringing legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).
They have accused the publisher of allegedly carrying out or commissioning unlawful activities such as hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, “blagging” private records, burglaries to order and accessing and recording private phone conversations.
ANL firmly denies the allegations and is defending the legal action, previously describing the claims as “lurid” and “simply preposterous”.
The two-day hearing is expected to deal with several preliminary issues in the claims, with no findings yet made in respect of the allegations.
Pictured: Hundreds of thousands gather on the Mall to celebrate VE Day anniversary
09:58 , Athena Stavrou
GCHQ release cache of spy chatter discussing VE Day before end of war announced
09:41 , Athena StavrouA set of never-before-seen documents of discussions between spies has revealed the Government Communications Headquarters’ (GCHQ) role in the announcement of VE Day.
The documents, released 80 years after VE Day, showcase the intelligence agency’s role and the excitement felt by those in the organisation tasked with sharing the news that fighting in Europe would soon end.
The document cache includes a letter from then-Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, Dwight D Eisenhower, to the Deputy Director Naval Section via the Admiralty.
The messages relay that the German high command had signed an “unconditional surrender”.
The document, timestamped 8.30am on May 7, 1945, instructs Allied expeditionary forces to “cease all offensive operations” but states that troops should remain in their present positions.
Starmer and Macron discuss VE Day celebrations
09:25 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron discussed VE Day celebrations in a call on Monday ebening.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister began by reflecting on how privileged he felt to be part of the moving VE Day celebrations this week, including the commemorative events held today.”
The pair then turned to discussing the situation in Ukraine, migration and the “deep concern” for recent developments in Gaza.
Pictured: Grand military parade in London to mark VE Day
09:12 , Athena Stavrou
Queen says her father was ‘lucky’ despite being shot in the face during the war
09:03 , Athena StavrouThe Queen said her father was “so lucky” he was not injured more severely after being shot in the face during the Second World War.
In a conversation with veteran Douglas Cracknell at Clarence House, broadcast by the BBC as part of the VE Day coverage, Camilla shared her father’s experience of the conflict.
The Queen’s father, Major Bruce Shand, served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa.
She told Mr Cracknell: “My father, who was captured at El Alamein, he was shot at and the bullet went through one side of his face, came out the other and he was so lucky because he didn’t hit his teeth or his tongue.”
Recap: Hundreds of thousands watch flypast and host tea parties to mark VE Day
09:01 , Athena StavrouOn Monday, hundreds of thousands watched from The Mall in London on Monday as an RAF flypast marked the 80th anniversary of Europe’s liberation from the Nazis.
Buckingham Palace’s balcony hosted the royal family’s VE Day commemorations - eight decades after King George VI first marked the Second World War’s end from the same spot.
Several royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, sat among veterans as the current crop of servicemen and women, including Nato allies, marched past the palace in recognition of those who served to defeat Hitler’s regime and bring peace to Europe.
The aerial spectacle was followed by tea parties across Britain, including in Downing Street, where Sir Keir Starmer served up tea and cakes to veterans and other guests.
Watch: Prince Louis teases Prince George by copying behaviour at VE Day parade
08:53 , Athena StavrouRoyals to continue VE day commemorations
08:51 , Athena StavrouThe royal family is preparing to attend another day of VE day celebrations to mark 80 years since the end of the war.
Queen Camilla will appear at the Tower of London on Tuesday afternoon to view a new display of ceramic poppies, placed to “reflect on the lasting legacy of conflict”.
The installation comes 11 years after the original exhibit of 888,246 ceramic poppies in 2014.
Nearly 30,000 poppies from the first installation have now returned to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.
Prince Louis steals show at VE Day commemorations
08:27 , Athena StavrouPrince Louis, the seven-year-old son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, playfully teased his older brother Prince George during Monday’s VE Day celebrations, capturing the attention of onlookers and social media alike.
As the two young princes watched the military procession from the Queen Victoria Memorial in London, Louis appeared to mimic George's mannerisms.
Cameras caught the moment Louis, seemingly amused by his brother's actions, copied the way 11-year-old George flicked his hair, then exaggeratedly smoothed down his own.
The lighthearted interaction between the two siblings quickly spread across social media, delighting royal watchers.
