VE Day 2025: Stark warning issued over 'threat' descending across the globe as Britons urged to pray
VE Day 80: Royal British Legion veteran delivers touching message - ‘Out of the darkness comes light’
GB NEWS
The Archbishop of York has issued a stark warning that the "good" resulting from the Second World War is now "under threat again" as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Stephen Cottrell delivered his message during commemorations led by the King at Westminster Abbey.
The service brought together veterans and dignitaries to reflect on the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
In his address, the Archbishop said: "Today, on this 80th anniversary, we give hearty and mighty thanks for those whose sacrifice made our victory possible. We pray again for peace in Europe.
"We salute those who were so committed to the ideas and ideals they fought to uphold, that in the post-war era rebuilt the world to reflect those beliefs. From the National Health Service to the United Nations itself, we strove to build a world that shows how we belong to one another and have responsibilities to each other across boundaries of class, race and nation.
"Those first outpourings of joy on the first VE Day led to something good, because in our opposition of what was worst in us, we discovered what was best. All this good is under threat again in our world today."
LGBT veterans sacked for their sexuality take part in celebrations for FIRST time
LGBT veterans who were sacked for their sexuality have been officially welcomed to take part in VE Day celebrations.
Until 2000, it was illegal to be gay in the British military, with those who were gay or perceived to be gay interrogated, thrown out and in some cases imprisoned.
In 2023, those impacted received an official apology from then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and are now being awarded financial redress for the harm caused by the ban.
Many of those impacted were invited to take part in today’s commemorations and were also invited to attend the special memorial concert later this evening on Horse Guards Parade.
The great-great-grandson of Winston Churchill, Alexander Churchill, speaks exclusively to GB News
The great-great-grandson of Winston Churchill, Alexander Churchill, spoke exclusively to GB News' Cameron Walker outside Westminster Abbey.
The 10-year-old said: "It was really incredible to be lighting something of such significance."
Alexander explained how he feels very "proud" and "honoured" to be the great-great-grandson of the wartime leader.
He added: "I was a bit nervous, but I pulled myself together and I did it."
80 years ago, Winston Churchill announced the end of war in Europe
Winston Churchill announced the end of the war in Europe, in a broadcast at 3pm, 80 years ago today
GETTY
80 years ago, at 3pm today, Winston Churchill announced the end of the war in Europe.
Six years of fighting came to a conclusion, as Nazi Germany surrendered to Allied Forces.
In a broadcast, Churchill said: "Yesterday at 2:41am, the representative of the German High Command signed the act of unconditional surrender of all German land, sea and air forces in Europe.
"The German war is therefore at an end. Long live the cause of freedom! God save the King!"
King and Queen leave the Abbey
King and Queen leave the Abbey
Reuters
King Charles and Queen Camilla have left Westminster Abbey after the thanksgiving service.
The pair were the last ones into the Abbey and the first ones to leave.
The royals greeted veterans before and after the service, shaking hands and smiling to war heroes.
The King is scheduled to make a speech at 9pm this evening.
Alexander Churchill lights the Candle of Peace
Alexander Churchill lights the Candle of Peace
PA
Alexander Churchill, 10, has lit the Candle of Peace at Westminster Abbey.
The great-great-grandson of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill said Britain's youth should "never forget" their war heroes.
Churchill said at the Abbey: "Let us pray for peace in Europe and across the world, in our time and for generations to come.
"The sacrifice that has gone before us should be honoured in liberty, justice and peace. Lord in your mercy, amen."
RAF Officer 'full of emotion' as the story his wartime grandparents remembered
RAF Officer 'full of emotion' as the story his wartime grandparents remembered: 'I want to carry on their story'GB News
Flying Officer Aaron Marshall said he was "full of emotion" as he prepared to attend the Westminster Abbey service marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The RAF officer, who has served for 12.5 years, told GB News he would be "full of emotion" remembering his grandparents' wartime experiences.
His grandmother served in the Red Cross in London, while his grandfather was a paratrooper who served in the Middle East.
Prince William lays down wreath
Prince Williams lays down wreath
Pool
The King and Prince have laid down wreaths on the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Prince William laid down a wreath which had a note stating: "For those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. We will remember them."
King Charles laid down the first wreath, with a note saying: "We will never forget."
Prince William and King Charles pay respects
King Charles leads the Royal Family
Pool
King Charles led the Royal Family at a Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey today to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
The King and Queen were joined by The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and The Duke of Kent.
Upon arrival, the Royal Family joined the congregation in observing a national two-minute silence of reflection and remembrance.
The King and Queen arrive at the Abbey
The King and the Prince of Wales will lay wreaths
Reuters
King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with other members of the Royal family, have arrived for the Thanksgiving service at 12pm.
The King and the Prince of Wales will lay wreaths at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
A handwritten note reading "we will never forget" will be laid down by the King.
Charles will also deliver a speech at 9pm from the Horse Guards Parade in London.
Two-minute silence to take place at 12pm
The nation prepares to fall silent at 12pm to remember the sacrifices soldiers made for our freedom.
The UK lost 384,000 soldiers during World War Two, as well as a civilian death toll of 70,000.
Celebrations are taking place up and down the country to celebrate VE Day 80.
Starmer and Badenoch arrive at the Abbey
Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch have arrived
Reuters
Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch have arrived with other MPs and Lords at Westminster Abbey.
The leaders of the Labour and Conservative Parties are two of 1,800 people in attendance.
The service is set to begin in just under half an hour.
Guests start to arrive at Westminster Abbey
1,800 people will be at the service
Reuters
Guests are starting to arrive at Westminster Abbey, ahead of the service scheduled at 12pm.
A total of 1,800 people will be in attendance, including the King and Queen.
The service will begin with a national two-minute silence of reflection and remembrance.
Afterwards, the King and Queen will meet veterans in the congregation, and Her Majesty will lead other Members of the Royal Family in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims' Memorial.
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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