The British Royal Family joined Military Veterans in London to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. In a solemn and stirring military procession held in London, the British Royal Family took centre stage, honouring the sacrifices of the Second World War with grace, dignity, and heartfelt reverence.
The event commenced with a moving military parade through the heart of London. Leading the royal delegation was His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Joining them on the day were The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Duke of Kent were also present along with Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Lawrence.
Today, May 8, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, commemorating the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945, when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied forces. BBC reported, ” The occasion commemorates the end of nearly six years of war in Europe on 8 May 1945 when Nazi German forces surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in World War Two. The military procession – involving more than 1,300 people, including members of the Armed Forces – made its way from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace.”
The King, Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other members of the Royal Family observed a military procession of 1,300 armed forces members, which began in Parliament Square and proceeded along Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch, and down The Mall to Buckingham Palace. Across the UK, four days of celebrations are being held, from May 5 to May 8, to honor the sacrifices of the wartime generation and celebrate 80 years of peace.
At the seating area, The Royal family sat with the war veterans among them were the 30 Second World War veterans, 20 Second World War generation guests, including 10 female veterans and evacuees. Veterans from the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces – including the Navy, Army, RAF, WRENs, SOE, D-Day veterans, Desert Rats and those who contributed on the home front or were still in active conflict in other parts of the world after VE Day – attended with their families and carers. The Royal British Legion support the war veterans in the UK to ensure as many as possible could be at the events.
The procession was followed by a flypast featuring historic and current RAF aircraft, including Spitfires, Mosquitoes, a Lancaster bomber, and the Red Arrows. The royal family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the flypast, a highlight that drew thousands of spectators. The event was particularly poignant as it was the first VE Day commemoration since Queen Elizabeth II’s death, with no royals from the 1945 balcony appearance present.
The veterans had a prime spot on the Buckingham Palace garden steps as a flypast went over. Politicians including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, London mayor Sadiq Khan, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch were also there. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis enjoyed the flypast along with their parents.
From People’s Megazine report, “As the aircrafts roared overhead, Kate leaned in to share a few words with George. She and William exchanged a brief conversation as the King turned to his sister, Princess Anne, with a smile, perhaps reminiscing about their late mother, Queen Elizabeth’s many appearances at flypasts just like this. George animatedly chatted with William, clearly caught up in the excitement, while Louis leaned forward, eager for a better view of the sky. “
After the flypast, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a tea party for Second World War veterans and their families inside Buckingham Palace. Joining them were the Prince William and Kate Middleton. In a surprise appearance, Prince George joined his parents for the tea party at the Palace. The Royals sat with the world war veterans and heard various stories from the time.
From DailyMail’s report, “It was there that Prince William proudly told 101-year-old Alfred Littlefield, from Portchester, that George is ‘interested’ in learning about those who served, the veteran’s granddaughter said. The royal added that it was ‘very important’ for his eldest and the ‘next generation’ to hear the stories from those who fought for our nation”.
A 98-year-old former prisoner of war, a 99-year-old who served with the Desert Rats and took part in the D-Day landings, and a 100-year-old woman who worked in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), known as Churchill’s Secret Army, were among the guests at the tea party. Veterans enjoyed sandwiches, scotch eggs and scones at the tea party. Also on the menu were potted shrimps with brown bread and butter, egg and bacon quiche, vegetable pasties and sausage rolls, along with lemon and carrot cake, chocolate cake, treacle tarts and strawberries and cream. They dined on large tables in the Marble Hall which was decorated in bunting made from fabrics recycled from the royal estate.
On May 8, William and Kate are expected at a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey highlighting the sacrifice of the World War II generation.
What Kate Middleton wore at the 80th Anniversary of VE Day Military Procession
- Emilia Wickstead Mid-length Coat dress – Repeat from South Africa State visit welcome ceremony
- Sean Barrett Pillbox Hat with Bow – Repeat from South Africa State visit welcome ceremony
- Diamond and Ruby Earrings – Unidentified – New
- Diamond and Ruby Pendent necklace – Unidentified – Repeat from Poland Visit
- Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm brooch – Repeat
- Lady Diana’s Nigel Milne triple-strand pearl bracelet – Repeat from July 2017 during Germany tour
- Ralph Lauren Celia Calfskin Pumps – Repeat from September 2020