The great-great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill has said young Britons should "never forget" their war heroes.
Alexander Churchill, 10, is set to take part in a thanksgiving service marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) at Westminster Abbey.
Churchill said he felt "very honoured" to have been chosen to participate in the commemoration which will be attended by the King, the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Speaking to reporters, the youngster said: "I think people can learn that they should never forget all of the people who have sacrificed and helped us restore freedom to England and Europe and also I think it’s very important that they should carry on fighting for freedom.
Speaking about his part in the service, he added: "I feel a bit nervous, but I think that’s all right."
Some 78 veterans are expected to attend alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who will give a bible reading.
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Lords and MPs to process to Westminster Abbey
Lords and MPs, led by the Speakers of both Houses, will process at 11:15am.
They will walk from Parliament to Westminster Abbey, where a thanksgiving service is prepared.
Business will be halted to allow the procession to take place.
Pubs and bars given permission to stay open later
Pubs and bars can stay open later this evening
GETTY
Pubs and bars can stay open for an additional two hours today to mark the anniversary of VE Day.
Venues across the UK will not have to ring for last orders until gone midnight.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the announcement last month, giving pubs permission to open until 1am, two hours longer than usual closing time.
Starmer said: "Keeping our pubs open for longer will give people the opportunity to join in celebrations and raise a glass to all of the men and women who served their country, both overseas and at home."
Defence Secretary shares plan to help young people remember VE Day
Defence Secretary John Healy has warned that "freedom is not free" in response to a concerning poll showing a significant decline in awareness of VE Day among younger generations.
The statement comes as new research commissioned by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, reveals that six in ten members of Generation Z have never heard of VE Day.
Healy said: "We ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten, and that the lessons are learned by remembering what they gave fighting for our freedom and for the future of our country.
"We must also recognise that freedom is not free, and that once again, there is war in Europe. That is why Britain, both in public and in Parliament, is standing firmly behind Ukraine."
Poll of the day: Do you trust future generation to always remember WW2 veterans' sacrifice?
The UK lost 384,000 soldiers during 1939 to 1945, as well as a civilian death toll of 70,000.
A poll recently conducted by Censuswide found that 51 per cent of people across the UK don't know what VE Day represents.
Do you trust future generations to always remember World War 2 veterans' sacrifice? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comments section below.
WATCH: GBN Breakfast discuss the unique move made by the Queen Mother in the war to 'display peace': 'Very clever!'
The Queen Mother made a deliberate choice never to wear uniform during the Second World War as a way to "display peace," a royal historian has claimed.
Speaking to GB News, Hugo Vickers noted the royal's decision in World War Two created "images of peace" in contrast to the propaganda coming from Nazi Germany.
Her peaceful image was often reinforced by appearances in a pony carriage with her two daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, cycling behind her.
Sir Keir Starmer moments away from making major speech to commemorate war heroes
Sir Keir Starmer is set to make his speech in the coming moments.
The PM will pay tribute to the bravery of World War Two veterans as the country marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
He will discuss the victory against "hatred, tyranny and evil" at the London Defence Conference.
'Their victory will always be one of our finest hours': Starmer sends message just before he delivers speech
Starmer posts on X, celebrating 'those who fought for our freedom'
X/Keir_Starmer
The PM has posted on X to commemorate those who served during World War Two.
He wrote: "Their victory will always be one of our finest hours. Today, we come together to celebrate those who fought for our freedom."
Starmer will deliver a speech at 9am today, celebrating VE Day 80.
He will remember those who sacrificed their lives for us and highlight the government's decision to hike military spending and deliver a "defence dividend".
World War Two veteran shares what King Charles said to her as they sat together during VE Day 80 celebrations
World War Two veteran Joy Trew has revealed what she and King Charles discussed as they sat together during VE Day celebrations.
The monarch had the honour of sitting with Trew, 98, who carried out vital work as a code interceptor during the war.
She joined Andrew Pierce, Bev Turner and Tessa Dunlop on GB News to discuss her heroism and her experience of sitting with the King.
Thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey scheduled for 12pm
A thanksgiving service is scheduled for 12pm at Westminster Abbey.
MPs and Lords will be in attendance as well as the King and Queen.
A nationwide two-minute silence is scheduled just before the service begins.
The Royal Family commemorate those who served during WW2
The Royal Family posted on X, remembering and celebrating those who served during the Second World War
X/RoyalFamily
The Royal Family have posted on X celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The post reads: "On the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, we remember and celebrate all those who served during the Second World War."
Poginant from 80 years ago, King Charles will deliver a speech at 9pm, the same time King George VI did, remembering those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
Charles will deliver the live address to the nation at a concert from the Horse Guards Parade in London.
A procession of Lords and MPs will take place at 11:15am
MPs and Lords will journey to Westminster Abbey
PAA procession of Lords and MPs will commence this morning, led by the Speakers of both Houses.
They will journey from Parliament across Parliament Square to the VE Day service in Westminster Abbey.
Business will be interrupted to allow the procession to take place.
Sir Keir Starmer set to deliver speech at 9am on the 80th anniversary of VE Day
The PM will deliver a speech to the country this morning at 9am on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Sir Keir Starmer will mark the end of the war in Europe and declare victory against "hatred, tyranny, and evil".
In a speech at the London Defence Conference, Starmer will say: "Britain's victory was not just a victory for Britain.
"It was a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil, for the light of our values – in a world that tried to put them out."
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