Preparations are under way for a grand public commemoration to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, with the Government unveiling detailed plans for a large-scale military procession and flypast in central London. Thousands are expected to descend upon the capital on Monday, 5th May, for what promises to be one of the most significant remembrance events of the decade.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed that the milestone event will include a 1,300-strong armed forces procession, a Red Arrows flypast, and appearances from senior royals and political leaders, including the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Sir Keir Starmer.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urged the nation to take part in the celebrations, calling it “a chance for us to come together and celebrate our veterans and ensure their legacy of peace is passed on to future generations.” The commemorations will pay tribute to the generation that secured peace in Europe after the horrors of the Second World War.
The commemorative events will begin at noon, when Big Ben strikes, with a dramatic recitation of Winston Churchill’s iconic VE Day address in Parliament Square. In a poignant moment, Alan Kennett, a 100-year-old Second World War veteran who served in Normandy, will be presented with the symbolic Torch for Peace by a young cadet. This act will represent the handing of responsibility for remembrance from one generation to the next.
Following this, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, will lead a formal procession down Whitehall, passing the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch, and along The Mall to Buckingham Palace. Spectators will include veterans, dignitaries, and members of the public, lining the route to pay their respects.
Sir Keir Starmer and a host of veterans will view the proceedings from the Queen Victoria Memorial. The King and Queen will observe from Buckingham Palace, accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke of Kent.
Young cadets from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force will also participate, symbolising the enduring legacy of service and remembrance within the British Armed Forces.
In what is expected to be a show-stopping moment, the Red Arrows will soar above the Palace in formation, joined by more than 20 military aircraft past and present. Among them will be aircraft with active roles in current global tensions, such as the P8 Poseidons, which monitor Russian naval movements, and Voyager planes involved in training and equipping Ukrainian troops.
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Also participating will be Typhoon fast jets and F-35 Lightning stealth fighters—aircraft essential to NATO operations and modern UK defence strategy. The display will serve as a reminder of the continued importance of international cooperation in preserving peace.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe, I look forward to joining our veterans, serving armed forces personnel and young people to remember the remarkable generation who defended the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Later in the day, the King and Queen will host a special tea party reception at Buckingham Palace for around 50 veterans, including members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces and former Wrens of the women’s Royal Navy. The Marble Corridor will be decorated in handmade bunting crafted from recycled fabrics to honour the wartime spirit of thrift and unity.
Nationwide, communities are being encouraged to hold their own celebrations—be it through traditional street parties, picnics, or community gatherings. Ms Nandy added: “Whether by watching on TV or having a street party with neighbours, everyone can take part. This is one of the last chances we have to say thank you to this generation of heroes—and it is right that we do just that.”
