Today, there was a big to-do at Buckingham Palace. The Royal Family was out in full force to watch the Red Arrows fly past, marking 80 years since World War Two in Europe ended. The King and the other fancy royals were all there, looking down at the crowds below as the planes zoomed by with their red, white, and blue smoke trails. It was quite the sight to see, let me tell you.
This year is a bit different, though. It’s the first time in 80 years that the royals who were there that day are no longer with us. After Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022, things just haven’t been the same. But the King is making sure to oversee all the Victory in Europe (VE) Day events, which are going on for four whole days. That’s a lot of celebrating, if you ask me.
The day started with a bang, with actor Timothy Spall reciting Sir Winston Churchill’s famous VE Day speech at noon. The King and Queen were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their little ones to watch a military procession through the city. It was quite the show, with Nato allies and over 1,300 UK armed forces members marching from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace. The King even stood up and saluted as they reached the Queen Victoria Memorial. What a guy.
After all that excitement, the King and Queen were joined on the balcony by more royals for the flypast. The Red Arrows were there again, along with a Lancaster bomber leading the way. They narrowly missed a rain shower as the crowds started to head home. It was a close call, but they made it through in one piece.
Later on, Prince George got to meet some veterans at a tea party in Buckingham Palace. He even chatted with a 101-year-old who served during D-Day. It’s nice to see the younger generation taking an interest in our history, isn’t it?
Now, the whole country is getting in on the VE Day celebrations. There are street parties happening all over, with Portsmouth even closing roads for the occasion. Buildings like the Palace of Westminster and the Shard will be lit up, and Westminster Abbey will have a special service with a two-minute silence of remembrance. Even pubs and bars in England and Wales are staying open later to join in the fun. Who doesn’t love a good party, right?
Overall, it’s a time to remember all those who fought for our freedom and to teach the kids about our past. The last of the World War Two veterans are getting older, so it’s important to keep their memories alive. As one person said, VE Day is about bringing people together from different backgrounds and ages to say, “Let’s unite and have peace.” Sounds like a plan to me.
So, as the celebrations continue throughout the week, let’s raise a glass to those who came before us and made the world a better place. Here’s to peace, freedom, and remembering where we came from. Cheers.
