Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

King Charles leads VE Day service marking 80 years since WWII ended

The service began with a two-minute silence observed across the UK. Attendees included veterans, politicians, and younger members of the public who took part in tributes.

king-charles-ve-day-reuters

King Charles lays a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior during a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

KING CHARLES joined veterans and members of the royal family at Westminster Abbey on Thursday to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe. The service was the main event in the UK's four-day commemorations of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which marked Nazi Germany’s surrender on May 8, 1945.

Charles and his son Prince William laid wreaths at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. The King’s message read: "We will never forget", signed "Charles R". William's wreath message read: "For those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. We will remember them", signed "William" and "Catherine".


The service began with a two-minute silence observed across the UK. Attendees included veterans, politicians, and younger members of the public who took part in tributes. War-time prime minister Winston Churchill's 10-year-old great-great-grandson, Alexander, lit a candle of peace. "It feels really amazing that I can represent my family and also the younger generation to know and remember everyone involved in World War II," he said.

Some younger attendees gave white roses to veterans. The King, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, attended the service with Queen Camilla. Prince William’s wife Princess Catherine and other senior royals also took part. Prime minister Keir Starmer and other dignitaries were present as well.

The service included a rendition of the 1940s song The White Cliffs of Dover, readings from wartime letters, and a section of Churchill’s 1945 victory speech. Before departing, members of the royal family spoke with veterans and their families, some over 100 years old. Kate and Camilla laid flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial in tribute to all victims of war and oppression.

Eighty years ago, large crowds had gathered in central London to celebrate VE Day. Churchill announced the surrender on the radio, calling it "Victory in Europe Day" and said, "We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing", while noting that the war with Japan was still ongoing. Queen Elizabeth, then a 19-year-old princess, and her sister Margaret joined the crowds incognito after leaving Buckingham Palace.

Veterans had earlier attended a parade and flypast near Buckingham Palace on Monday. Thursday's commemorations were expected to conclude with a concert at Horse Guards Parade attended by 10,000 people. Pubs were permitted to stay open two hours later than usual.

Speaking at a defence conference in London, prime minister Starmer called VE Day “a celebration of defiance, sacrifice and courage”, adding, "A victory not just for Britain but for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil."

Events also took place in France and Germany. In Moscow, Russian president Vladimir Putin described the World War II victory as "sacred" and said Russia was standing against "neo-Nazism", referring to the war in Ukraine, a description strongly rejected by Kyiv. Putin was also holding talks with Chinese president Xi Jinping during Russia's celebrations.

French president Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to lay a wreath at the statue of Charles de Gaulle in Paris and inspect a troop parade at the Arc de Triomphe. A procession of World War II-era vehicles was set to move down the Champs-Elysées. In Berlin, president Frank-Walter Steinmeier was to address the Bundestag in a special session.

Monarchy specialist Robert Hazell of University College London said this year’s anniversary would likely be the last major commemoration attended by living veterans of the war.

(With inputs from agencies)

More For You

Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

Lord Coaker (Photo: UK Parliament)

Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

A FRESH parliamentary initiative to establish a dedicated Sikh regiment within the British Army has gained momentum in the House of Lords, with defence minister Lord Coaker expressing willingness to engage in further discussions about the long-debated proposal.

The issue was raised in the House of Lords on Monday (7) by Labour peer Lord Sahota, who asked whether there had been any progress on long-standing calls for a Sikh regiment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heatwave Alert: Don’t Leave Contraceptives or Medication in Cars

Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

iStock

Drivers warned to remove contraceptives and medication from cars during UK heatwave

Highlights:

  • Experts urge motorists to avoid leaving certain items in vehicles during upcoming heatwave
  • Temperatures expected to rise above 30°C across large parts of the UK
  • Contraceptives and common medications can lose effectiveness in high heat
  • Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

Drivers urged to act as UK braces for extended heatwave

Drivers across the UK are being urged to remove a range of everyday items from their cars ahead of a predicted heatwave, with experts warning that the rising temperatures could pose both safety and health risks.

The Met Office has forecast a prolonged spell of hot weather, with temperatures expected to soar into the low 30s on Thursday and Friday. Much of the UK is likely to hit its regional heatwave threshold by the weekend, with this episode potentially affecting a wider area and lasting longer than previous hot spells.

Keep ReadingShow less
Royal Mail

The Royal Mail logo is seen on the side of a van as the UK government clear a 3.57 billion pound takeover offer by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky in London, December 16, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Ofcom updates Royal Mail delivery targets, starts pricing review

MEDIA regulator Ofcom has set new minimum delivery standards for Royal Mail and revised existing targets in an effort to reduce delays. It also announced a review into pricing and affordability, amid concerns over rising stamp prices.

Royal Mail, which has faced fines of around $20 million over the past two years for not meeting delivery targets, is currently trying to modernise operations and focus more on parcel deliveries.

Keep ReadingShow less
Doctors' strike

The doctors had previously accepted a 22 per cent pay rise covering 2023 to 2025, which brought an end to earlier rounds of strikes.

Getty Images

England's resident doctors announce five-day strike over pay dispute

JUNIOR doctors in England will go on strike from 25 to 30 July, their union said on Wednesday, after the British government said it could not meet their demand for an improved pay offer this year.

The doctors, also known as resident doctors, make up a large part of the medical workforce. They were offered an average 5.4 per cent pay rise but are seeking 29 per cent, saying this is needed to reverse years of real-terms pay erosion.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi set for UK visit to sign free trade agreement

FILE PHOTO: Keir Starmer (L) with Narendra Modi. (Photo: Getty Images)

Modi set for UK visit to sign free trade agreement

INDIA's prime minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the UK by the end of this month for a visit that could see both sides formally sign the landmark India-UK free trade agreement and explore ways to expand bilateral ties in the defence and security sphere, diplomatic sources said.

Both sides are in the process of finalising the dates for Modi's visit to the country by the end of July or the first part of August, they said.

Keep ReadingShow less