King Charles gets into the spirit of things at the VE Day 80 concert in Horse Guards Parade (The Royal Watcher)
by Mick the Ram
Thursday 8 May marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and the UK rounded off a four days of celebrations and commemorations in style.
It began with a thanks-giving service at Westminster Abbey attended by the royal family and many other high-profile dignitaries; plus 10-year-old Alexander Churchill – the great, great-grandson of Winston – who lit a Candle of Peace.
This was followed by a tea party for the World War Two veterans, before the day was given a stunning finale with an unforgettable concert at Horse Guards Parade, enjoyed by over 12,000 people in the audience and millions more watching a live broadcast.
The event brought together music, storytelling, and tributes in a moving salute to those who served and sacrificed during the conflict.
Indeed, the veterans had been involved throughout the commemorations all week, as had King Charles III, who was at the heart of many of the events.
Just down the river a new special display of ceramic poppies was also installed at the Tower of London to mark the occasion; these were part of the original display which spectacularly filled the grounds back in 2014.
Churchill’s great-great-grandson steals hearts
There were around 1,800 who shared in remembrance whilst at the same time commemorating the end of the hostilities in Europe 80 years ago, when the thanks-giving service took place.
There was a reading given by Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, but one moment in particular brought a smile to everyone’s face, when ten-year-old Alexander Churchill – who is the great-great-grandson of wartime PM, Winston – lit a Candle of Peace and spoke about how important it was for his generation to thank all the veterans, and to “never forget” those who fought for freedom of Europe… wise words from one so young.
Never forget
King Charles left a floral tribute on behalf of the nation and Commonwealth at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, with a hand written message recognising those who fought and died in the Second World War, which read: “We will never forget”.
Return of the poppies
At the same time visitors were admiring a new display of nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies installed at the Tower of London, to resemble a cascading effect of the blood of an open ‘wound’ marking the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.
The Poppies pour across the lawn overlooked by the ancient White Tower, where the blood-red flowers form a crater, with ripples flowing outwards.
It creates a striking image and acts as a harsh reminder of the loss through war, and of the long-lasting impact of conflict.
One for each life lost
The poppies themselves are on loan from the Imperial War Museum and were from the original installation designed by the artist Paul Cummins, which saw 888,246 of the remembrance flowers laid out in a unique formation back in 2014.
Each one of that huge number representing a military life lost during World War One. The plan is for the display to remain in place until 11 November, which is of course Armistice Day.
Fitting finale
The finale at Horse Guards Parade in the evening was a fitting tribute with a host of stars that included the likes of: Samantha Barks, John Newman, The Darkness, Toploader, Victor Ray, Freya Ridings, Keala Settle, Calum Scott, Tom Walker and the legendary classical singer Sir Willard White, all giving outstanding performances.
In addition to the music, the concert saw Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock add their voices to the commemoration, while celebrated actor Brian Cox delivered a powerful re-enactment of Winston Churchill’s iconic wartime speech.
Wartime classics
Throughout the evening veterans and wartime heroes reflected on their own experiences of VE Day, stories of love, resilience, and the overwhelming feeling of joy at the emergence of peace after years of devastating conflict.
Naturally, the event ended with a stirring rendition of the wartime classics “The White Cliffs of Dover” and “We’ll Meet Again”.
King’s final words
The King gave a final speech in which he called on Britons to “re-dedicate” themselves “not only to the cause of freedom”, but to “renewing global commitments to restoring a just peace where there is war, to diplomacy, and to the prevention of conflict.”
Eighty years to the hour since his grandfather, King George VI, announced that war had passed, Charles said that the debt owed to the veterans “can never truly be repaid”.
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