Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS
King Charles and Prince William led the royal family in a solemn tribute marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Thursday. The moving act formed part of four days of national events honoring the end of World War II in Europe.
In a touching display of royal unity, the King and his heir laid wreaths inside the historic Abbey during a Service of Thanksgiving attended by senior members of the royal family, including Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Duchess Sophie. The service began with a two-minute silence, observed across the country, to remember Nazi Germany’s surrender on May 8, 1945.
A statement from Buckingham Palace emphasized the importance of the moment: “The King and Queen, joined by Members of the Royal Family, attended today’s Service at Westminster Abbey to recognise the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and to commemorate the sacrifice of the Second World War generation.”
The royal family’s official Instagram account also shared photos capturing key moments from the day, showing the senior royals united in reflection and remembrance.
Earlier in the day, Prince William and Kate Middleton were filmed arriving at Westminster Abbey ahead of the service. Their attendance marked the second time in just three days that the couple appeared publicly alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The couple is also set to join the King and Queen later in the evening at a live celebratory concert at Horse Guards Parade, which will bring the VE Day commemorations to a close. The event promises to be a vibrant tribute to the resilience and victory of the World War II generation.
The four-day remembrance began on May 5, when King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other senior royals joined veterans and the public to witness a grand military parade and a dramatic flypast, marking the start of the anniversary events.
As the United Kingdom reflects on eight decades since VE Day, the royal family’s participation underscores their enduring role in national commemorations and honoring those who served and sacrificed in the Second World War.
