VE Day: King Charles to lead 80th anniversary celebrations with military parade and flypast – latest updates

By TOM LAWRENCE

Published: 08:34 BST, 5 May 2025 | Updated: 09:26 BST, 5 May 2025

Thousands of people are expected to line streets across London today for the start of events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Armed forces from the US, France and Germany will join a military procession in the capital while actor Timothy Spall will recite the words of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech

King Charles will lead the celebrations joining Sir Keir Starmer and Second World War veterans on a platform in front of Buckingham Palace.

It comes as the country marks the start of four days of commemorative events across the nation ahead of the anniversary on Thursday, May 8.

Live updates below

What is VE Day?

Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, marks the end of the Second World War and the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces.

At 3pm on May 8, 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end.

Celebrations broke out across the UK, as neighbours met for street parties and pubs stayed open long into the night.

The late Queen Elizabeth II alongside her sister, Princess Margaret famously ventured into the crowds to soak up the atmosphere.

The day is celebrated to remember the sacrifices made by the British troops and all of the Allied Forces who lost their lives during the war.

Dressed for the occasion

Michael Burn, 67, arrived at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace this morning.

Dressed head to toe in a Union flag suit he said: ‘Obviously I’m very patriotic so I make the most of any of these events, the coronation or anything like that I’ll be here.

‘I think we’ve been very lucky that we’ve had 80 years of peace and these are very troubled times at the moment and we’ve got to think about all those that have the ultimate sacrifice and there’s very few of them left now because they’re all over 100.

Michael Burn, 67, from Watford, is seen joins the crowds at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, ahead of a military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and in honour of those who served during the Second World War, in central London. Picture date: Monday May 5, 2025. PA Photo. Around 1300 members of the armed forces, including the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, along with Commonwealth nations, Ukraine, and Nato allies are taking part in the military procession for Victory in Europe Day, which is celebrated each year on May 8, marking the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945. See PA story MEMORIAL VEDay. Photo credit should read: Emily Smith/PA Wire

Michael Burn (right), 67, from Watford, joins the crowds at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, ahead of a military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and in honour of those who served during the Second World War, in central London. Picture date: Monday May 5, 2025. PA Photo. Around 1300 members of the armed forces, including the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, along with Commonwealth nations, Ukraine, and Nato allies are taking part in the military procession for Victory in Europe Day, which is celebrated each year on May 8, marking the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945. See PA story MEMORIAL VEDay. Photo credit should read: Emily Smith/PA Wire

‘This is the last time we will celebrate the day in this sort of scale.’

Speaking of his suit and holding a seven foot Union flag he said: “I bought this for the London 2012 Olympics and have worn it at every Royal event since.

‘I can still get into it,’ he joked

The Cenotaph adorned in the Union flag

In Whitehall, where the military procession for the 80th anniversary of VE Day will pass later, the Cenotaph is draped in a large Union flag.

The south and north face of the landmark are covered.

The Cenotaph in front of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office (FCDO) on Whitehall is dressed in the Union flag ahead of a military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and in honour of those who served during the Second World War, in central London. Picture date: Monday May 5, 2025. PA Photo. Around 1300 members of the armed forces, including the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, along with Commonwealth nations, Ukraine, and Nato allies are taking part in the military procession for Victory in Europe Day, which is celebrated each year on May 8, marking the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945. See PA story MEMORIAL VEDay. Photo credit should read: Lucy North/PA Wire

It is the first time the war memorial has been draped in Union flags since it was unveiled by King George V more than a century ago, in 1920.

A hundred metres away, the base of the Monument To The Women Of World War II is covered in poppy wreaths.

What events are planned today?

Today marks exactly 80 years since Winston Churchill announced the end of the Second World War and victory in Europe.

It is the first of four days of celebrations to mark the milestone.

Here are the events scheduled for today:

12pm: Timothy Spall recites Winston Churchill’s famous VE Day Speech as Big Ben strikes at midday.
12.10pm: The military procession begins as bands and units make their way from Parliament Square to Big Ben
1.45pm: A flypast featuring 23 aircraft from the past and present, including the iconic Red Arrows

Later in the afternoon: The King and Queen will host a tea party at Buckingham Palace for veterans.

Thousands expected to celebrate start of VE Day 80th anniversary commemorations

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the UK’s 80th anniversary VE Day celebrations which start today.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Bank Holiday Monday for events and take in the military procession and a flypast.

The words of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech, spoken by actor Timothy Spall, will begin the commemorations, which will feature displays by the Red Arrows, appearances by senior royals and street parties across the UK.

Stick with us for the latest updates throughout the day plus the most eye-catching pictures and videos of celebrations across the country.