Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London for a major procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day on the early May Bank Holiday.
The May 5 event will feature 1,300 members of the Armed Forces and Second World War veterans and will be attended by the Prime Minister.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced a packed schedule including a Churchill speech performance and a Red Arrows flypast.
According to the plans, a procession will start in Parliament Square with the recitation of Winston Churchill’s famous VE Day speech the moment Big Ben strikes noon.
The May 5 event will feature 1,300 members of the Armed Forces and Second World War veterans
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Crowds will be treated to a flypast by the Red Arrows – and more than 20 current and historic military aircraft
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Alan Kennett, a 100-year-old Second World War veteran who served in Normandy, will then be handed the Torch for Peace by a young person.
Kennett, who travelled to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, called it a “huge honour” and said the day “brings back so many memories.”
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery will lead the procession from Parliament Square, down Whitehall.
The route will continue past the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Sir Keir Starmer and veterans will watch from the Queen Victoria Memorial.
VE DAY 80 – BRITAIN REMEMBERS:
Historic military aircraft will dot London’s skies for VE Day
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Young cadets from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force will participate in the procession.
The Government has said it hopes to see “thousands” of people lining the streets on the day.
Crowds will be treated to a flypast by the Red Arrows – and more than 20 current and historic military aircraft.
The aerial display will include planes involved in tensions with Russia, such as P8 Poseidons, which conduct reconnaissance missions surveying Russian vessels near UK waters, while Voyager aircraft which deliver equipment to Ukrainian forces will also participate.
Typhoon jets – a key part of Nato “Air Policing” – and fifth-generation F-35 Lightning fighter jets will complete the display.
‘Our whole nation is invited to join together to reflect on the sacrifices of all those who fought for peace,’ John Healey said
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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.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy encouraged the public to get involved, saying the planned celebrations were a “chance for us to come together and celebrate our veterans and ensure their legacy of peace is passed on to future generations.”
Street parties, picnics and community celebrations are being encouraged across the country.
“Our whole nation is invited to join together to reflect on the sacrifices of all those who fought for peace,” Healey added.
While Nandy said: “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.”
