The 80th anniversary of VE Day will be celebrated today with a string of street parties and poignant memorials.
Victory in Europe Day marked the end of World War 2 in Europe on Tuesday, May 8, 1945, following the official surrender of all German military operations. At the time, more than a million people celebrated the occasion with street gatherings and celebrations.
In London, crowds also gathered in Trafalgar Square to see King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Sir Winston Churchill as they addressed the public, with then Prime Minister Churchill telling the thousands in the crowds: “Everyone, man or woman, has done their best.”
This year marks 80 years since Churchill declared VE Day a public holiday and this week has already seen lots of big street parties, military processions and flypast events - also partly thanks to the sunny weather and the Bank Holiday Monday.
King Charles has been leading the nation for four days of commemorative events. Today’s activities are set to formally begin with a service at Westminster Abbey which will be attended by around 1,800 people, alongside the King and Queen and many veterans.
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There will also be tea parties hosted by the Royal British Legion, as well as parades and street parties across the country. There will then be a special Horse Guards Parade concert in London later this evening, which is set to begin at 8pm and will pay homage to our Heroes in spectacular fashion.
Pubs will also be getting into the spirit of things, with extended opening hours. As part of VE Day, pubs will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours today, meaning people will be able to mark the occasion at venues until 1am as the four-day
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