Candles, wreaths, famous faces: VE Day at 80 in pictures

7 months ago 19

PA Media King Charles lays a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior during a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Events are taking place across the UK to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.

The King and Queen, as well as the prime minister and other senior royals, attended a service of thanksgiving and remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

Julian Simmonds/The Telegraph/PA Media (left to right, front row) King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince and the Princess of Wales and (left to right, back row) the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent attend a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE

Aaron Chown/PA Media King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales attend a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Aaron Chown/PA Media A general view of the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Picture date: Thursday May 8, 2025. PA Photo.

The service was preceded by a two-minute national silence to remember those who served in World War Two.

King Charles and the Prince of Wales laid wreaths at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.

Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS The Prince of Wales and King Charles attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Picture date: Thursday May 8, 2025.

Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS King Charles lays a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior during a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Jordan Pettitt/POOL/AFP A handwritten note is pictured on the wreath which will be laid by King Charles III

Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS The Prince of Wales lays a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior during a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Picture date: Thursday May 8, 2025.

Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS Wreaths laid by King Charles on behalf of the Nation and the Commonwealth, and the Prince of Wales and on behalf of Veterans and the Second World War generation, at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior are pictured, during a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS The Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla attend a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Picture date: Thursday May 8, 2025.

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, the dean of Westminster, led the service with a tribute to those "who have died the death of honour".

Alexander Churchill, the 10-year-old great-great-grandson of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill lit a Candle of Peace, whilst young members of the congregation handed out flowers to veterans.

Artefacts from the Second World War were processed through Westminster Abbey by members of the Armed Services.

Aaron Chown/PA Media Alexander Churchill, 10, lights the VE Day 80th Candle of Peace during a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Picture date: Thursday May 8, 2025.

Aaron Chown/PA Media Artefacts from the Second World War are processed through Westminster Abbey in London during the Service of Thanksgiving on the 80th anniversary of VE Day

Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERS Zizi Strallen sings during a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Jordan Pettitt/PA Media The Prince of Wales speaks with Second World War veterans and guest following a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE

Jordan Pettitt/PA Media King Charles III and Queen Camilla speak with Second World War veterans and guest following a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Phil Noble/REUTERS Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla leave Westminster Abbey after attending the Service of Thanksgiving as part of commemorations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, in London, Britain, May 8, 2025.

The Princess of Wales placed flowers at the Innocent Victims' Memorial, following a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

Phil Noble/REUTERS Britain's William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, leave Westminster Abbey after attending the Service of Thanksgiving as part of commemorations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, in London, Britain, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Aaron Chown/PA media The Prince of Wales and Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle (right) look on as the Princess of Wales lays flowers at the Innocent Victims' Memorial, following a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

MPs and peers walked in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, re-enacting the historic walk MPs did from Parliament on VE Day in 1945.

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was towards the front of the procession, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, a little way behind.