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6d ago

UK Prepares for VE Day 80 With National and Local Tributes

Commemorations from May 5–8 include a royal tea party, military procession, RAF flypast, and thousands of community celebrations.

A drawing featuring St Paul Cathedral created by John Goldsmith in London, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Image
A general view of St. Stephens Road, in Bow, in London, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A general view of Victoria Park, in London, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Overview

  • King Charles and Queen Camilla will host a tea party for WWII veterans at Buckingham Palace on May 5, accompanied by a Red Arrows flypast over London.
  • A two-minute national silence will be observed at noon on May 8, alongside a military procession and RAF flypast from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace.
  • The Together Coalition’s VE Mail initiative has connected over 50,000 children with WWII veterans through letters, with correspondence now being archived by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
  • Pubs and bars in England and Wales have extended hours, while communities nationwide are organizing street parties, beacon lightings, and exhibitions to mark the occasion.
  • The Royal Mint has released commemorative 50p coins featuring a dove of peace, honoring the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.