VE Day 80: HMS Belfast marks anniversary with impressive gun salute as PM hosts tea party for veterans

​King Charles chuckles with veteran in Buckingham Palace

His Majesty spoke with veterans in Buckingham Palace and was seen in a joyous mood laughing alongside them.

Prince George 'interested' in learning about WW2 veterans

During Buckingham Palace's afternoon tea, Prince William said that Prince George was "interested in finding out about the veterans", his granddaughter said.

Samantha Davidson, 58, from Denmead, Hampshire, said: "The Prince said George is very interested in finding out about the veterans.

"George even asked my grandfather how old he was during his service."

Littlefield added that he was "very proud".

Keir Starmer hosts tea party at Downing Street

WW2 veteran shows Queen Camilla magic trick at Buckingham Palace afternoon tea

Another tea party is being held at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.

World War Two veteran Norman Brown has been pictured while he shows a magic trick to the Queen at the dining table.

WATCH: Ben Leo recalls touching moment he wiped away a tear during incredible celebrations

GB News presenter Ben Leo has revealed he was moved to tears during Monday's VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations.

Ben shared his emotional reaction while reflecting on the day's events, which included a spectacular RAF flypast.

"What a day. Seeing the flypast to end it all. I had a tear in my eye," Leo told viewers on GB News.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Keir Starmer chats merrily with guests outside No10 as PM hosts tea party

After this morning's procession and flypast, Sir Keir Starmer is hosting a street party, with scones and scotch eggs aplenty.

Like under every PM, Union Jack bunting along with patriotic plates and mugs have been laid out for guests.

Gun salute at HMS Belfast to mark 80th anniversary

HMS Belfast is currently hosting a private VE Day afternoon tea for the 80th anniversary of Germany's surrender to the Allied Forces in 1945.

Veterans celebrate VE Day Anniversary alongside Prime Minister

Veterans have praised today's ceremony, saying the flyover was "wonderful."

Among those who saw the flypast from Buckingham Palace was Ruth Barnwell, 100, who joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service aged 17 when her brother’s friend was killed on HMS Hood, which was sunk during the Battle of the Denmark Strait on May 24 1941 by the German battleship Bismarck.

Regarding the commemoration, she told reporters: "It was great. Really great. Today has been wonderful."

WATCH: Royal Family watch Red Arrows flypast from Buckingham Palace balcony

The King and Queen appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony today to mark VE Day 80 celebrations.

They were joined by their grandchildren from the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis stood alongside Their Majesties to watch the spectacular flypast over central London.

The spectacular flypast roared over Buckingham Palace, creating a memorable five-minute display over central London.

Fans watching along The Mall as the Red Arrows pass over

The Red Arrows flying over Buckingham Palace

Princess Charlotte and Princess Kate share special moment during rare joint appearance

Princess Charlotte joined the Royal Family today at the 80th anniversary celebration of VE Day in central London.

The young princess was seen with her parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and her brothers, Prince George and Prince Louis, outside Buckingham Palace.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were also present for the commemorations marking the end of the Second World War in Europe.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Crows cheer as RAF aircraft fly over Buckingham Palace

The King and Queen waved from the balcony and were then joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, among other royals.

The crowds cheered, clapped and waved flags as the Red Arrows flew over the palace, then the band played God Save The King. Crowds along the Mall cheered as the Red Arrows flew over Buckingham Palace.

Many people held their phones high in the air to record the moment as the aircraft flew over the palace.

Parties break out across Britain

Street parties are being held across Great Britain, as Britons celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Members of the public were spotted enjoying a street party outside the Wilbraham Club in Preston, Lancashire.

GB News will be up and down the country to mark the occasion.

Red Arrows flypast Buckingham Palace in stunning manoeuvre 

Veterans waving as the RAF flypast

Bernard Morgan and Albert Keir on the West Terrace in the gardens of Buckingham Palace saluting the flypast

The Royal Family on the balcony

Members of the royal family watched with tilted heads from Buckingham Palace’s balcony as the VE Day flypast soared over.

The King and Queen as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were on the balcony.

The first aircraft, a Lancaster Bomber, reached the palace at 1.45pm with more planes following behind.

Crows cheering as Royal Family emerge on balcony

Royal fans march up The Mall ahead of flypast

Veterans head to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea

Veterans will enjoy sandwiches, scotch eggs and scones at the tea party at Buckingham Palace.

Also on the menu are potted shrimps with brown bread and butter, egg and bacon quiche, vegetable pasties and sausage rolls.

There will also be lemon and carrot cake, chocolate cake, treacle tarts and strawberries and cream.

They will dine on large tables in the Marble Hall which has been decorated in bunting made from fabrics recycled from the Royal estate.

WATCH: The King, Prince of Wales and Prime Minister arrive for military procession to mark 80 years since VE Day

​Normandy veteran Alan Kennett launches parade

Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, who was in the RAF with the Mustang Squadron and was in Celle near Belsen on VE Day, formally started the VE Day procession in central London on Monday.

Garrison Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class One Andrew Stokes, of the Coldstream Guards, asked Kennett, who was sat on a chair in Parliament Square flanked by cadets, for permission to march.

He said: “Thank you and your generation for securing our freedom 80 years ago. May I have your permission to start the parade please?”

“Carry on,” Kennett replied.

Kennett had earlier been presented with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Torch of Peace by one of the cadets.

Princess of Wales speaks to veteran during the military procession

Princess of Wales was seen speaking to Bernard Morgan, who was the youngest RAF sergeant to land on D-Day.

Meanwhile, King Charles chatted to Joy Trew, 98, sitting on his left, who enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force aged 17 in 1944 and served as a wireless operator working at RAF Chicksands Priory in Bedfordshire, a station taking morse code messages from stations in Germany.

Beside him was Camilla who had Royal British Legion veteran Jack Mortimer on her right.

King Charles III takes the salute from the military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day

The King stood and saluted as the start of the procession reached the Queen Victoria Memorial.

Before the procession arrived, cadets and scouts watching on cheered and waved to the royal family from the paths nearby.

Cheers erupt across Whitehall as Ukrainian forces pass Cenotaph

Crowds on Whitehall cheered and clapped as Ukraine’s marching detachment passed the Cenotaph.

Some spectators stood on walls and street furniture to get a better view of the procession.

There was a sea of colour down Whitehall as the Band of the Irish Guards, wearing red, marched down Whitehall, closely followed by the flags of the Commonwealth nations.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis seen together for first time since Christmas

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were last seen together in public when they attended the Christmas Day church service on the Sandringham Estate.

William shook the hand of one veteran as he passed him to take his seat, and his children followed his example with Kate the last to greet the old serviceman and she sat beside him.

He later appeared to show her some photographs and she took one to give it a closer look.

King Charles supported by Prince William and Kate as Royal Family lead the nation's VE Day celebrations

King Charles and Queen Camilla have joined Second World War veterans to watch a military procession at Buckingham Palace.

The royal couple were accompanied by other members of the Royal Family and the Prime Minister for the commemorative event.

They gathered on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside the palace to observe military units processing down The Mall from Whitehall.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Timothy Spall MBE launches VE Day celebrations with Churchill victory speech

Actor Timothy Spall has read a segment of Winston Churchill's victory speech to launch VE Day celebrations.

Speaking in Parliament Square in front of a statue honouring the wartime Prime Minister after Big Ben struck midday, Spall said: "My dear friends, this is your hour.

"This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the Great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny."

Wearing a dark grey suit, the actor continued: "Every man, woman and child in the country had no thought of quitting the struggle.

"When shall the reputation and faith of this generation of men and women fail?

"I say that in the long years to come not only will the people of this island, but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we have done and they will say: 'Do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be unconquered.'"

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for military procession

Princess Anne arrives ahead of military procession

The Princess Royal arrives ahead ahead of a military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and in honour of those who served during the Second World War, in central London.

WATCH: GB News reporter Sophie Reaper joins in a dance class in Wrexham

Royal British Legion chief tells Britons 'this is one of the last chances to thank our heroes'

The Royal British Legion is preparing to honour 31 Second World War veterans aged 98-104 as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day.

These veterans will be positioned alongside members of the Royal Family and Prime Minister Keir Starmer to watch a grand military procession from Parliament to Buckingham Palace.

The commemorations begin today, launching four days of national reflection and celebration marking the surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Members of the Household Cavalry on The Mall gather ahead of procession

Members of the Household Cavalry on The Mall near Buckingham Palace have started to gather on The Mall ahead of the procession.

Groups of cadets and scouts have gathered on the path closest to the Queen Victoria Memorial and have been posing for group photos with Buckingham Palace in the background.

Young people are chatting excitedly and watching on, waiting until the procession begins.

WATCH: Ukrainian soldiers express hope for 'own victory day' as they join VE Day commemorations

Watch as two Ukrainian soldiers who will be taking part in the Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemorations speak to Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello on GB News.

They told the People’s Channel they hope to celebrate their own victory day soon as war with Russia continues to rage on.

"We are so happy to be here to celebrate 80 years victory in Europe", they said.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Fans continue to gather on The Mall ahead of today's procession

HAVE YOUR SAY: Should the Government do more to help our armed forces veterans?

As Britain prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, GB News asks its members should the Government do more to help our armed forces veterans?

Celebrations kick off today to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, with four days of commemorative events kicking off with a military procession and flypast and end with a concert at the Horse Guard Parade.

The Government has announced that a two-minute national silence will be held to remember and thank those who fought for our freedom during the Second World War.

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN HAVE THEIR SAY HERE.

WATCH: Ben Leo takes GB News viewers through the route for today's procession

Fans on The Mall say today's event is 'about patriotism'

David Smith, a military royal engineer from 1960 to 1972, travelled from Lincolnshire on Sunday to honour the veterans at the parade.

The 79-year-old said: "It’s about patriotism. It’s what we do."

Smith has marched at the Cenotaph for 26 years and will watch the parade on Monday from The Mall.

His wife Muriel said: "Where we live in Lincolnshire, the ‘bomber county’, there is always a bomber base five miles from you. There’s still air raid shelters where we live."

About the parade, the 77-year-old said: "I just love the songs, the ceremony, everything. I’ve heard some stories about Victory Day. Some naughty stories!"

WATCH: Al Carns joins Stephen and Ellie on GBN Breakfast

Minister for Veterans Al Carns joined GB News ahead of VE Day 80 celebrations.

The MP for Selly Oak was speaking as Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to British veterans, saying: "As we approach the VE Day anniversary, I want to salute your ongoing dedication to keeping our country safe.

"This week, we celebrate the greatest victory our armed forces ever secured. And like so many families across the country, my relatives served and fought in the Second World War. Therefore, it is the highest honour of my role to meet veterans of that conflict."

More fans join the crowd on The Mall

Satvinder Cubb and Grace Gothard, who made their own dresses for the occasion, join the crowds at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, ahead of a military procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Grace Gothard, from Ghana, describing her Union flag dress, said: "I made this dress personally. So anytime there’s any Royal occasion I make my own dresses. It took two weeks to make. The last one was the King’s coronation and that dress is in a museum now."

Satvinder Cubb, wearing a dress which reads Lest We Forget, added: "I also made my dress. I had a Union flag one before but this year I wanted something simple to represent all the soldiers that actually fought. It took just a few hours to make because it’s actually two flags joined together. And I don’t have a sewing machine so it was all by hand."

The pair met at the Queen’s jubilee and have attended Royal events together in handmade dresses ever since. They arrived at The Mall at 6am this morning.

VE Day 80: What planes will take part in historic flypast?

A wide range of military aircraft, both past and present, will be flying over to participate in today's VE Day celebrations.

The flypast will showcase a diverse array of aircraft, including a Voyager transport aircraft and a P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft.

GB News has taken a look at which aircrafts will be taking place in the flyby, including historic Second World War-era aircraft from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

READ OUR ANALYSIS HERE.

Princess Kate set for 'moving tribute' when she arrives at Buckingham Palace today

Princess Kate is set to pay a "moving tribute" with her jewellery when she arrives at Buckingham Palace today, an expert has exclusively told GB News.

The Princess of Wales is joining her husband, Prince William, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla in London for celebrations to mark VE Day.

Tobias Kormind, the managing director and co-founder of 77 Diamonds, Europe’s largest online diamond jeweller, spoke exclusively to GB News about what the royal women are expected to wear today.

READ OUR EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS HERE.

WATCH: Ben Leo speaks to fans queuing on The Mall ahead of the procession

GB News star Ben Leo has been speaking to Royal fans on The Mall who have been queuing since the early hours of this morning.

Dressed head to toe in a Union flag suit Michael Burn said: "Obviously I’m very patriotic so I make the most of any of these events, the coronation or anything like that I’ll be here.

"I think we’ve been very lucky that we’ve had 80 years of peace and these are very troubled times at the moment and we’ve got to think about all those that have the ultimate sacrifice and there’s very few of them left now because they’re all over 100.

"This is the last time we will celebrate the day in this sort of scale."

Timothy Spall to deliver Winston Churchill's victory speech to launch celebrations

Actor Timothy Spall is set to deliver a rendition of Winston Churchill’s triumphant 1945 address.

Spall is reprising his role as the Wartime Prime Minister from the 2010 Oscar winning film The King’s Speech from Parliament Square.

After his address, ending with the line: "This is not ­victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole" the Red Arrows will soar overhead.

Sir Keir Starmer - 'our victory was not just for Britain'

Sir Keir Starmer has said that “we owe a debt of gratitude to those prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country”, ahead of VE Day commemorations.

The Prime Minister said: "Our victory was not just for Britain. It was also a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil.

"VE Day is a chance to acknowledge, again, that our debt to those who achieved it can never fully be repaid.

"Yet as the nation falls silent on Thursday, I know that my mind will also turn to those who carry the torch of their legacy in our armed forces today, people like you."

MAPPED: Where can you watch the VE Day celebrations

Britain is preparing for a grand celebration marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, with a large-scale military procession and a dramatic flypast scheduled to take place in London on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5.

More than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces, youth organisations and uniformed services will march from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace.

CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO TODAY'S CELEBRATIONS HERE