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The Government has revealed the plans to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day this May. The events will see thousands of people line the streets of central London with a special procession that Sir Keir Starmer and the royal family will watch. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport plans include a Churchill speech performance, a flypast by the Red Arrows and aircraft used to support Ukraine, and a military procession of 1,300 members of the armed forces.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy encouraged the public to get involved, saying the planned celebrations for Monday, May 5 were a “chance for us to come together and celebrate our veterans and ensure their legacy of peace is passed on to future generations”. Is your VE Day 80 event on the map? Share the details of your local event to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on our interactive map Find out more about how to get involved: https://t.co/Bc7cf9B67P #VE80 #Victory80 pic.
twitter.com/YV6TvIJo8O — Department for Culture, Media and Sport (@DCMS) April 19, 2025 Government reveals plans for VE Day 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. Alan Kennett, a 100-year-old Second World War veteran who served in Normandy, will then be handed the Torch for Peace from a young person, before the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery lead a procession from Parliament Square down Whitehall.
Mr Kennett, who travelled to Normandy with the Royal British Legion for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, called it a “huge honour” and said the day “brings back so many memories”. Going past the Cenotaph, the procession will then proceed through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall to Buckingham Palace, watched by Sir Keir and veterans at the Queen Victoria Memorial. 2025 marks 80 years since VE Day and VJ Day.
We’re calling on WWII veterans to join us for our commemorations to mark these historic anniversaries. If you’re a carer or have a family member who served, please register their interest here ⬇️ https://t.co/IJn65VElDb pic.
twitter.com/pvkF0ZvmU5 — Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion) January 3, 2025 The King and Queen will also watch the military procession and flypast, and will be joined 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, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force will be part of the procession.
The Government is encouraging members of the public to gather on the Mall and said it is hoping to see “thousands” of people line the streets. From there, the audience will be treated to a flypast by the Red Arrows and more than 20 current and historic military aircraft. This year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Find out how you can get involved: ➡️Explore: toolkits for schools ➡️Share: your Letters to Loved Ones ➡️Prepare: your Tip Top Town ➡️Add: your events to the map #VE80 #Victory80 https://t.co/0smJHNRM5N pic.twitter.
com/gOCX7nWx6b — Department for Culture, Media and Sport (@DCMS) April 23, 2025 The show will include planes which have been involved in tensions with Russia, including P8 Poseidons, which conduct reconnaissance missions surveying Russian vessels near UK waters, and Voyager aircraft which deliver equipment to Ukrainian forces and fly Ukrainian recruits to the UK for training . Also set to perform are Typhoon fast jets, which are a key part of Nato Air Policing, and fifth-generation F-35 Lightning fighter jets. 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.
“Our whole nation is invited to join together to reflect on the sacrifices of all those who fought for peace and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.” Later that day, Charles and Camilla will host a tea party reception for around 50 veterans and members of the Second World War generation at Buckingham Palace. Recommended Reading Special stamps to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day Prime Minister extends pub opening hours for VE Day Street parties to be held to mark VE Day 80th anniversary This will include British and Commonwealth Armed Forces veterans and women’s Royal Navy Wrens, as well as the same royal family members and Sir Keir.
The palace’s Marble Corridor will be decorated in bunting made from recycled fabrics. Street parties, picnics and community celebrations are also being encouraged across the country..
