World

Royals join thousands to mark 80 years since WWII's end

By AAP Newswire

May 5, 2025

A military procession for VE Day — A military procession paraded past Buckingham Palace as part of VE Day commemorations in the UK. -AP

Thousands of people have lined the roads around the UK's parliament and Buckingham Palace as British and allied troops paraded past to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

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After Big Ben tolled at the stroke of noon, actor Timothy Spall recited the victory speech that Winston Churchill delivered to a roaring crowd in central London on May 8, 1945.

Britain started its four-day commemorations of VE Day three days early, because Monday is a public holiday in the UK.

The Cenotaph, the nation's war memorial, was covered with Union Jack flags. It was the first time the memorial had been draped in the flags since it was unveiled by King George V in 1920, two years after the end of World War I.

About 1300 members of the British armed forces are being joined by troops from the United Kingdom's NATO allies and Ukraine - a nod to the present war in Europe.

The procession started in Parliament Square and swept past Buckingham Palace, where King Charles took the salute.

Maria Crook, 69, who wore a hat with red, white and blue ribbons, travelled from Devon to London to watch the procession.

"I think it's extremely important to pay our respects and honour those who have died for us," she said.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press