The King and Queen joined dozens of veterans at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, as Britain marks 80 years since VE day.
Charles and Camilla arrived at the service of thanksgiving in London as the nation observed a two-minute silence at midday in remembrance of those who fought for freedom.
Some 78 veterans attended the service, which saw a bible reading by the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and Winston Churchill’s great-great-grandson light a candle for peace.
During the service, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, called for peace in the world as he warned “All is good is under threat again today”.
He said: “Let us then on this 80th anniversary, with some of the veterans who fought for those freedoms with us here, make a new commitment to be those who in the words in Jesus, make peace.”
Victory in Europe Day marks the formal surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of the war in Europe.
Celebrations across the country will take place on Thursday to pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War.
Key Points
- Nation falls silent in rememberance
- 'All is good is under threat again' - Archbishop of York
- Westminster Abbey service to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day
- King joins VE Day celebrations
- Ukraine shows lessons of VE Day not ‘just history’, says Starmer
Recap: Thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey
14:11The King has led the nation in honouring the sacrifices of those who brought peace to Europe 80 years ago, as a service marking VE Day began.
A national two minutes silence was observed before the simple ceremony, which began with Charles and Prince William leaving a floral tribute at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
The congregation heard wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill’s radio broadcast announcing the end of hostilities, and letters from WWII servicemen and women.
Second World War artefacts including a child’s gas mask, sailor’s cap and an air raid warden’s helmet, representing the armed forces and the Home Front, were processed through the abbey.
The Archbishop of York, Steven Cottrell, also called for peace in the world as he said: “All is good is under threat again in our world today.”
Sir Keir Starmer also read a bible verse, before the great-great grandson of Sir Winston Churchill lit a candle for peace.
At the end of the service, tune of We’ll Meet Again made famous by forces sweetheart the late Dame Vera Lynn was played as the royal family greeted veterans as they left the abbey.
MPs and peers mark ‘greatest victory of our great nation’ at VE Day service
13:43 , Athena StavrouMPs and peers “followed in the footsteps” of their predecessors by forming a procession to Westminster Abbey to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer moved a motion to suspend the House of Commons sitting on Thursday, telling Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle: “So we may attend Westminster Abbey to give thanks and commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the greatest victory in the history of our great nation.”
Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “We will now follow in the footsteps of our predecessors 80 years ago.
“On May 8 1945, honourable members formed a procession out of the House of Lords, where they secretly relocated because the House of Commons chamber had been destroyed during the Blitz.
“Today we shall again follow the mace but this time from our own chamber through the bomb-scarred Churchill arch, which stands as a permanent reminder of the fortitude of those who stood firm through the war.”
Kate and Camilla leave flowers after service
13:24 , Athena StavrouThe Princess of Wales left a posy of colourful flowers at the large circular slate Innocent Victims’ Memorial outside the abbey on departure, as did the Queen.
The blooms were picked on Wednesday within the walls of Windsor Castle and the surrounding estate.
They included rosemary for remembrance, oak for endurance and bluebells which traditionally represent gratitude.
Pictured: King and Queen leave abbey
13:20 , Athena Stavrou
Royals shake hands with veterans as service ends
13:07 , Athena StavrouThe King and other members of the royal family are speaking with veterans as they leave the thanksgiving service.
The Princess and Princess of Wales joined Charles and Camilla stopping to speak with some of the 78 veterans present at Westminster Abbey.
Vera Lynn plays as service comes to a close
13:03 , Athena StavrouThe service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey is now coming to a close.
The tune of We’ll Meet Again made famous by forces sweetheart the late Dame Vera Lynn is being played.
'All is good is under threat again in our world today'- Archbishop of York
12:57 , Athena StavrouSpeaking about Britain’s fight against the Nazi’s during WWII, the Archbishop of York, Steven Cottrell, called for peace in the world.
He said in Westminster Abbey: “In our opposition of what was worst in us, we discovered what was best.
“All is good is under threat again in our world today.
“Let us then on this 80th anniversary, with some of the veterans who fought for those freedoms with us here, make a new commitment to be those who in the words in Jesus, make peace.”
Churchill's great-great grandson lights candle of peace
12:42 , Athena StavrouDuring the service, 10-year-old Alexander Churchill, the great-great-grandson of wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, lit a candle of peace.
As he did so, young members of the congregation hand out white roses to Second World War veterans.
Nation falls silent for two-minutes
12:33 , Athena StavrouAt midday on Thursday, Britain fell silent in remembrance of those who fought for freedom.
Starmer gives bible reading
12:30Sir Keir Starmer gave a bible reading at Westminster Abbey.
The prime minister read out a verse from the bible as he joined the King and veterans for a thanksgiving service.
Broadcast of Churchill's VE Day speech played in Abbey
12:19 , Athena StavrouA recording of wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill’s announcement that the Nazi’s had surrendered is currently being played out in Westminster Abbey.
Attendees, which include some 78 veterans, heard Churchill’s voice say: “We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing. Advance Britannia, long live the cause of freedom. God save the King.”
Letter from fallen soldier read out in Abbey
12:14 , Athena StavrouDuring the service at Westminster Abbey, a letter from Lance Corporal Frederick Charles Burgess sent to his son during WWII was read out.
Mr Burgess wrote his son, Freddie, a letter whilst serving in the 2nd Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who was serving in Italy.
Mr Burgess died months after writing the letter.
Two-minutes silence observed in parliament
12:10Peers in the House of Lords bowed their heads as they joined in a nationwide two-minute silence to mark 80 years since VE Day.
A number of members of the upper chamber, including the Lord Speaker, attended the thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey.
Charles and William lay wreaths at Grave of the Unknown Warrior
12:05 , Athena StavrouThe King and Prince of Wales lay wreaths of seasonal flowers, which would have been in bloom in May 1945, at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
The King did so on behalf of the nation and the Commonwealth, and William for the veterans and the wartime generation.
They were joined by 99-year-old Ken Hay, who served in the 4th Dorset infantry regiment, at their side.
Service starting
12:03 , Athena StavrouThe service of thanksgiving has begun in Westminster Abbey.
Some 78 veterans have been joined by the royal family and the prime minister to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The King and Prince of Wales will lay wreaths of seasonal flowers at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior on behalf of the nation, the Commonwealth, for the veterans and the wartime generation.
Sir Keir Starmer will also give a bible reading during the service and Winston Churchill’s great-great grandson will light a candle of peace.
At the end of the service, the tune of We’ll Meet Again made famous by forces sweetheart the late Dame Vera Lynn will be heard.
Two-minute silence begins
12:00A two-minute silence is now being observed across the nation.
Beginning at midday, the silence is being marked across the country, including in all UK government departments, which will also fly the Union Flag at full-mast.
The silence serves to remember and thank those who fought for Britain’s freedom and is also being observed in Westminster Abbey, where the royal family have joined some 78 veterans.
King and Queen arrive
11:59The King and Queen have arrived at Westminster Abbey for a service marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Charles and Camilla are joining other members of the royal family and some 78 veterans for the service of thanksgiving in London.
Prince and Princess of Wales arrive
11:57The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived at Westminster Abbey for a service of thanksgiving.
The couple are joining some 78 veterans for the service in London. William will lay wreaths of seasonal flowers at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior during the service.
After the service, Kate will join Camilla and other royals in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial outside the abbey.
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Royals begin to arrive at Abbey
11:55 , Athena StavrouSome members of the royal family have arrived at Westminster Abbey.
Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, greeted veterans as they walked through the Abbey.
Politicians arrive at Westminster Abbey
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In Focus: As the country marks VE day, we must remember the cost of victory
11:44 , Athena StavrouPhilip Jarman is a 101-year-old Second World War veteran, but he has little truck with the “celebratory” clamour that accompanies our numerous wartime anniversaries: the bunting, the obligatory fly past, the royal gloss.
Eighty years ago, he was still fighting a brutal war in Burma, and his reticence goes beyond mere end dates.
“We’ve got war all wrong,” he insists, disconsolately chasing crumbs around his plate. “After 1945, we didn’t have these repeated celebrations. We got on with building back Britain. In the years following VE Day, we were in no mood to celebrate.”
Eighty years on from VE Day, has commemoration had been sidestepped for celebration on an epic scale?
Tessa Dunlop reports:
Prime minister arrives at Westminster Abbey
11:29 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has arrived at Westminster Abbey.
The prime minister will be joined by the royal family and some 78 veterans for the service marking the 80th anniversary of the allied victory in Europe during WWII.
The prime minister will also give a bible reading.
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How will the service at Westminster Abbey unfold?
11:21 , Athena StavrouThe sacrifices of Second World War veterans and their generation will be commemorated during a service at Westminster Abbey shortly.
Some 78 veterans will be joined by the King and other members of the royal family during the service of thanksgiving marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The service will see the prime minister deliver a bible reading and the great-great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill light a candle of peace.
Young members of the congregation will also hand out white roses to Second World War veterans.
After a national two-minute silence is observed, Charles and William will lay wreaths of seasonal flowers, which would have been in bloom in May 1945, at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
The King will do so on behalf of the nation and the Commonwealth, and William for the veterans and the wartime generation, with 99-year-old Ken Hay, who served in the 4th Dorset infantry regiment, at their side.
At the end of the service, the tune of We’ll Meet Again made famous by forces sweetheart the late Dame Vera Lynn will be heard.
Outside the abbey Kate will join Camilla and other royals in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial in tribute to all victims of war and oppression as the proceedings draw to a close.
Veterans begin arriving at Westminster Abbey
11:14 , Athena StavrouSome veterans have begun arriving at Westminster Abbey, ahead of a service marking the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe.
Some 78 veterans are expected to attend the service of thanksgiving, which will also be attended by the King and prime minister.
Sir Keir Starmer to give bible reading at service
11:00 , Athena StavrouThe prime minister will give a bible reading at the Westminster Abbey service of thanksgiving today.
Sir Keir Starmer is attending the service to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day alongside some 78 veterans and the royal family.
Veteran who lied about age to join up tells of ‘relief’ at learning war was over
10:44 , Athena StavrouA 99-year-old veteran who fought in the Normandy campaign after lying about his age has recalled his VE Day memories.
Born in London in 1925, Donald Turrell was just 17 when he enlisted in the Army having forged a letter from his parents.
Asked about his memories of the original VE Day in 1945, the 99-year-old said with a chuckle: “I was in a pub, naturally”.
“I never heard a Churchill speech or anything, but I knew the war was over.
“So I met all the local lads who were in my class, and those who were on leave, etc and we had a damned good time.
“But I wasn’t going to go up to London to Trafalgar Square because I was on crutches.
“I’d been wounded and I’d been pushed and shoved about, so I stayed local and (had a) really good time.”
He added: “It was a relief, because I was alive.”
Watch: Churchill's great-grandson speaks ahead of VE Day service at Westminster Abbey
10:29 , Athena StavrouTwo-minute silence to be observed
10:16 , Athena StavrouAt midday on Thursday, a two-minute silence will be observed across the nation.
The government announced the silence to remember and thank those who fought for Britain’s freedom.
It will be marked across the country, including in all UK government departments, which will also fly the Union Flag at full-mast.
The forgotten faces of freedom: Why telling the whole story of Britain’s war efforts matters
10:03This week, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, our nation pauses once more to honour the generation who fought for freedom – often at great personal cost. It is a moment for remembrance, reflection and renewal.
And yet, for many years, I’ve felt there is something incomplete about the way we tell this story.
During the Second World War alone, more than 2.5 million soldiers from pre-partition India joined the Allied forces, writes Nizam Uddin – their names are etched in dusty archives but absent from too many classrooms, Remembrance Day services and national narratives:
Why telling the whole story of Britain’s war efforts matters
Pictured: How Britons celebrated VE Day in 1945
09:50 , Athena Stavrou
What does VE Day commemorate?
09:34 , Athena StavrouVE Day commemorates the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s surrender by the allied forces at the end of the Second World War.
On 30 April 1945, with Berlin surrounded by opposing forces, the leader of the Nazi party Adolf Hitler died by suicide.
Karl Dönitz succeeded him as the German head of state, going on to negotiate an end to the war with the allied forces, which was made up of nations including Britain, the US, France and Russia.
According to English Heritage, the allied forces originally planned on celebrating VE Day on 9 May.
However, news of Germany’s surrender spread at such a fast rate that on 7 May, an announcement was made on BBC radio that the following day would be a national holiday.
In Focus: As the country marks VE day, we must remember the cost of victory
09:19 , Athena StavrouPhilip Jarman is a 101-year-old Second World War veteran, but he has little truck with the “celebratory” clamour that accompanies our numerous wartime anniversaries: the bunting, the obligatory fly past, the royal gloss.
Eighty years ago, he was still fighting a brutal war in Burma, and his reticence goes beyond mere end dates.
“We’ve got war all wrong,” he insists, disconsolately chasing crumbs around his plate. “After 1945, we didn’t have these repeated celebrations. We got on with building back Britain. In the years following VE Day, we were in no mood to celebrate.”
Eighty years on from VE Day, has commemoration had been sidestepped for celebration on an epic scale?
Tessa Dunlop reports:
King to join VE Day celebrations
09:14King Charles and other members of the royal family will be attending multiple events today as Britain celebrates the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Charles will be joined by the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey at midday for a service of thanksgiving.
After a national two-minute silence is observed, Charles and William will lay wreaths of seasonal flowers, which would have been in bloom in May 1945, at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
In the evening, a concert in London’s Horse Guards Parade will be attended by the King and Queen, with performances by The Darkness, Toploader, and classical singer Sir Willard White.
What celebrations will be taking place today?
09:06 , Athena StavrouAt 12pm, the royal family will join veterans and the prime minister at Westminster Abbey.
The great-great-grandson of wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, will light a candle of peace as young members of the congregation hand out white roses to Second World War veterans.
A national 2-minute silence will be held at noon, before the King and Prince of Wales lay wreaths of flowers at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
At the end of the service, the tune of We’ll Meet Again made famous by forces sweetheart the late Dame Vera Lynn will be heard.
Elsewhere, the Royal British Legion will hold an anniversary tea party and service of remembrance at 12:30pm at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
At 8pm, Charles and Camilla will attend a concert in London’s Horse Guards Parade, with performances by The Darkness, Toploader, and classical singer Sir Willard White.
Pictures of VE Day celebrations so far this week
08:44Thursday marks the 80th anniversary of Europe’s liberation from the Nazis.
But celebrations have been ongoing all week, from a flypast on the Mall on Monday to tea parties across Britain.
Ukraine shows lessons of VE Day not ‘just history’, says Starmer
08:30 , Athena StavrouThe conflict in Ukraine shows the Second World War is not “just history”, the Prime Minister has said as Britain celebrates the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Speaking to the We Have Ways Of Making You Talk podcast in 10 Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer said the day was “a hugely important part of our history, of which we should be extremely proud as a country”.
He said: “I’ve got children who live in peace and in a democracy as a result of other people, which is incredible.
“And then, you know, the reminder with the Ukrainian contingent in the procession, that the idea that this was all just history and it doesn’t matter now somehow is completely wrong.
“Those values of freedom and democracy matter today.”
‘Very important’ for young to thank veterans – Churchill’s great-great-grandson
08:28 , Athena StavrouSir Winston Churchill’s great-great-grandson has said it is “very important” for his generation to thank Second World War veterans and to “never forget” those who fought for freedom in Europe.
Alexander Churchill, 10, will take part in a thanksgiving service marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Westminster Abbey on Thursday.
Speaking before the event, Alexander said: “My great-great-grandfather’s very important to us and we’re just very proud to know that he is part of our family and also I think it’s very important for our generation, my generation, to say thank you to all the veterans and everyone who took part in the war because I think that’s very important.”
Westminster Abbey service to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day
08:27 , Athena StavrouThe King and Queen will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Keir Starmer, veterans and others at Westminster Abbey to recognise the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
During the service 10-year-old Alexander Churchill, the great-great-grandson of wartime prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, will light a candle of peace as young members of the congregation hand out white roses to Second World War veterans.
After a national two-minute silence is observed, Charles and William will lay wreaths of seasonal flowers, which would have been in bloom in May 1945, at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
At the end of the service, the tune of We’ll Meet Again made famous by forces sweetheart the late Dame Vera Lynn will be heard.
Outside the abbey Kate will join Camilla and other royals in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial in tribute to all victims of war and oppression as the proceedings draw to a close.
Britain to mark 80 years since VE day with celebrations
08:21 , Athena StavrouBritain will mark 80 years since VE day with celebrations across the country to pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War.
Victory in Europe Day marks the formal surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of the war in Europe.
As part of the celebrations, members of the Royal Family will gather at Westminster Abbey for a Service of Thanksgiving, where they will lay flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial.
In the evening, the King and Queen will attend a celebratory concert from Horse Guards Parade.
