The Royal Family’s Role in Commemorating 80 Years of Peace
On 8 May 2025, the United Kingdom marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, a historic moment that signified the end of the Second World War in Europe with Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender. The four-day national commemoration, spanning 5 to 8 May, was a heartfelt tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Second World War generation. The Royal Family played a central role in these poignant celebrations, honouring veterans and reflecting on the enduring value of peace. Here’s a detailed look at the VE Day 80 events and the Royal Family’s participation, as observed from Buckingham Palace and beyond.
VE Day 80 was not just a remembrance but a celebration of 80 years of peace, bringing communities together across the UK and the Commonwealth. The government-organised events, supported by the Royal British Legion and other charities, included military processions, services of thanksgiving, street parties, and beacon lightings, echoing the jubilant yet reflective spirit of 1945. Buckingham Palace, a focal point of the original VE Day celebrations, once again stood at the heart of the commemorations, with the Royal Family leading the nation in honouring those who served.
Courtesy of the the Royal Family Channel on You Tube
The commemorations began on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May, with a grand military procession in central London, reminiscent of the crowds that gathered outside Buckingham Palace in 1945. Over 1,300 members of the Armed Forces, including regiments of the Household Division and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, marched from Parliament Square along Whitehall and The Mall to the Queen Victoria Memorial. The procession was followed by a spectacular flypast featuring 23 historic and modern aircraft, including the Red Arrows and the Lancaster Bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, soaring over Buckingham Palace at approximately 1:45 pm.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and senior members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, and the Duke of Kent, observed the procession from the Queen Victoria Memorial alongside Second World War veterans and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In a moment that mirrored King George VI’s actions 80 years prior, the Royal Family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony, waving to the gathered crowds as the flypast roared overhead. The presence of the King’s grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, added a touching intergenerational element, symbolising the passing of memory to younger generations. Later that day, Their Majesties hosted a tea party at Buckingham Palace for veterans and members of the Second World War generation. King Charles personally engaged with attendees, including 101-year-old D-Day veteran Bernard Morgan, who shared memories of receiving a secret telegraph announcing the war’s end. The event was a warm tribute to the resilience and stories of those who lived through the conflict.
On 6 May, Queen Camilla visited the Tower of London to view a striking display of nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies, part of a reimagined installation from the 2014 artwork Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red. The poppies, arranged to resemble a “wound” with ripples flowing outward, symbolised the lasting impact of the war’s sacrifices. Her Majesty planted the final poppy, accompanied by the Tower’s youngest resident, and met with veterans, schoolchildren, and representatives involved in the project. The exhibition, open to the public until Armistice Day on 11 November, served as a powerful reminder of the war’s toll.
The pinnacle of VE Day 80 was the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on 8 May, attended by 1,800 guests, including veterans, politicians, and representatives from charities. King Charles and Queen Camilla led the Royal Family, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke of Kent. The service featured poignant readings, including one by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and a call to prayer by Winston Churchill’s 10-year-old great-great-grandson, Alexander. A national two-minute silence at midday allowed the congregation—and the nation—to reflect on the sacrifices made.
King Charles laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, followed by the Prince of Wales, while Queen Camilla laid flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial outside the Abbey’s West Door. After the service, Their Majesties mingled with veterans, sharing personal stories of courage and loss, reinforcing the monarchy’s deep connection to the armed forces and wartime generation.
In the evening, the King and Queen attended VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember, a televised concert at Horse Guards Parade, hosted by Zoe Ball and featuring performances by Samantha Barks, Fleur East, and John Newman. The event celebrated the music and spirit of the 1940s while honouring the veterans in attendance. Simultaneously, the Royal Albert Hall hosted VE Day 80: The Party, organised by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the RAF Squadronaires performing wartime classics
The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, marked the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Guernsey and Sark in the Channel Islands, joining local commemorations that echoed the islands’ joy in 1945. Earlier, she participated in events in Denmark alongside the King and Queen of Denmark, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe, and Princess Benedikte, celebrating the country’s liberation.
The Duke of Kent also represented the King at a VE Day concert at Westminster Hall, where the Parliament Choir, supported by the Sinfonia Smith Square orchestra, performed classical music from across Europe to celebrate 80 years of peace.
Beyond the Royal Family’s involvement, VE Day 80 saw communities across the UK come alive with street parties, beacon lightings, and local services. From a tea party at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, attended by 44 veterans including 110-year-old Donald Rose, to flag-raising ceremonies in Aylesbury and Wycombe, the nation echoed the communal spirit of 1945. Pubs stayed open until 1:00 am, and 2,500 beacons were lit at 9:00 pm, including one at Tower Bridge, symbolising unity and remembrance.
The VE Day 80 celebrations were a powerful reminder of the Second World War’s profound impact and the resilience of those who endured it. For the Royal Family, these events were deeply personal, recalling King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), and a young Princess Elizabeth’s presence on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 1945. The 2025 commemorations, the first without those royals, underscored the importance of preserving their legacy for future generations.
King Charles, in a statement, emphasised the significance of the anniversary: “It is our duty to ensure that such horrors never happen again, and to honour the resolve and determination of those who served.” His words, echoed by the Royal Family’s active participation, reaffirmed their commitment to remembrance and peace.
