The King, feeling all regal and whatnot, decided to stand up and salute as he watched this big military parade happening to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Thousands of people were there, lining the streets of London to catch a glimpse of the action. You had folks from NATO allies like the US, Germany, and France, marching alongside 1,300 members of the UK armed forces, making their way towards Buckingham Palace.
The crowd near the Cenotaph went all quiet, with a big ol’ Union Flag hanging around it for the first time since King George V unveiled that war memorial back in 1920 – that’s over a hundred years ago, folks. And then, as Big Ben struck 12, actor Timothy Spall stepped up to read some bits from Sir Winston Churchill’s epic victory speech on May 8, 1945. Churchill was all like, “This victory ain’t about no party or class, it’s about the whole British nation kicking butt together.”
Normandy RAF veteran Alan Kennett, who’s 100 years old, kicked off the parade officially. He was in some cinema in Germany when this soldier drove a jeep right into the place and shouted, “Hey, the war’s over, y’all!” The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery led the whole march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch, and up The Mall. The Ukrainian military folks got some love from the crowd too, which was nice.
Over 30 Second World War veterans showed up for the celebrations in London, with 26 of them actually watching the parade. It was a real blast from the past, seeing these heroes among us, you know? The King was there with the Queen, Sir Keir Starmer, and some other royals and veterans, just taking it all in.
Later on, the royal fam, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their kiddos, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, were chilling on a platform, waiting to catch the RAF flypast. It’s like a whole family affair, with Prince Louis playing with his hair, Kate chatting with veteran Bernard Morgan, and the whole gang getting ready to watch the planes do their thing.
This whole shindig is a big deal, especially since it’s the first big VE Day celebration without Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in 2022. Back in ’45, she was just a young princess sneaking out to party with the people, feeling all happy and relieved. Now we’re here, commemorating the moment when Winston Churchill declared the German surrender back in ’45. It’s like a blast from the past, but in a good way, you know?
People all over the UK are celebrating too, with street parties, tea parties, and even some fancy dress-ups from the ’40s. Buildings like the Palace of Westminster, the Shard, and Cardiff Castle are all lit up at night to honor the occasion. And at the Tower of London, there’s this cool display of ceramic poppies, paying tribute to those who fought for freedom.
On Thursday, there’s gonna be a big service at Westminster Abbey, starting with a two-minute silence, followed by a concert at Horse Guards Parade to wrap things up. Churches and cathedrals across the country will be ringing their bells in thanksgiving, just like they did back in ’45. And hey, pubs and bars are staying open late, so you can raise a glass to those who made it all possible.
It’s a time to remember, celebrate, and honor those who came before us, making sure their sacrifices aren’t forgotten. VE Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. So let’s raise a toast to those who fought for freedom, for peace, and for a better tomorrow. Cheers to VE Day!
