Victory in Europe Day: Veterans Invited for Tea with the King; Starmer Commends Veterans' "Selfless Devotion"
On the momentous occasion of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a number of noteworthy veterans, including a 104-year-old war hero, are set to join the King in a tea party. This event will serve as a poignant tribute to the "selfless dedication" of the war generation, and the "debt that can never fully be repaid" to these heroes.
Among the guests are individuals who played crucial roles in the *D-Day* landings and those who served in the Special Operations Executive (SOE), also known as Churchill's Secret Army. Joining them will be veterans from various branches of the military, such as the Royal Navy, British Army, RAF, Wrens, D-Day forces, and Desert Rats, as well as 20 Second World War-era civilians. This diverse list of attendees underscores the importance of recognizing both military and civilian contributions during wartime.
Evacuees from World War Two, alongside veterans who were still in active conflict after VE Day, will also attend this historic gathering. The festivities will take place in the presence of the King and other members of the Royal Family, and at 12pm, the Royal Family will observe a military procession, followed by a flypast.
This year's VE Day anniversary will be one of the last opportunities for the nation to honor the veterans who have served and sacrificed for the freedom we enjoy today. In an open letter ahead of the event, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised these veterans for their selfless dedication and thanked them for a debt that can never be fully repaid. He emphasized that the stories shared this week will remind us that the victory was not limited to Britain but was also a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny, and evil.
As the anniversary itself on Thursday rolls around, marking exactly 80 years since the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender, a service of commemoration will be held at Westminster Abbey, to include a national two minutes' silence. In addition, pubs across England and Wales, typically closing at 11pm, will stay open for two extra hours to allow punters additional time to celebrate.
Notable veterans set to graciously accept the King's invitation include the unnamed 104-year-old hero who celebrated Germany's surrender in Italy and later managed POW repatriation, Bletchley Park codebreakers, and members of the Special Operations Executive like Joyce, who is 100 years old. The event will also welcome civilian evacuees, representing the homefront experiences during World War Two.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of the capital to witness this heartfelt commemoration and celebration. This event stands as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and courage demonstrated by the war generation and a testament to their ongoing impact in shaping our world today.
More on Ve Day:
- The thrilling and surreal experience of being inside a plane taking part in the VE Day flypast
- 'The least we could do': Why the King's VE Day message to veterans is very personal
- VE Day in pictures: The Royal Family, huge crowds, a military parade, flypasts, and enlightening stories of the war generation
Related Topics:
- VE Day
- World War Two
- The 104-year-old war hero, set to join the King in a tea party, played a significant role in the D-Day landings and managed POW repatriation following Germany's surrender.
- Despite many serving still in active conflict after VE Day, this year's commemoration celebrates the selfless dedication of the war generation, for whom the debt can never be fully repaid, as emphasized by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
- In addition to military veterans, the anniversary event will welcome civilian evacuees, signifying the recognition of both military and civilian contributions during wartime.
- As a poignant tribute to the war generation, the commemoration service will be held at Westminster Abbey, including a national two minutes' silence and a flypast, followed by pubs in England and Wales staying open late to celebrate.
- The event is expected to be an emotional occasion, with thousands lining the streets of the capital to witness this heartfelt commemoration and celebration of war-and-conflicts veterans, such as members of the Special Operations Executive, Bletchley Park codebreakers, and veterans from various branches of the military.
