On May 8, 2025, King Charles III delivered a poignant speech at Horse Guards Parade in London to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), echoing the sentiments of his grandfather, King George VI, who addressed the nation at the same time 80 years earlier. The King called for the nation to "rededicate ourselves to the cause of freedom" and emphasized the importance of global unity in the face of ongoing conflicts.
At precisely 9 PM, the time when his grandfather spoke in 1945 to celebrate the end of World War II in Europe, Charles reflected on the sacrifices made by the wartime generation. He quoted Winston Churchill, stating, "meeting jaw to jaw is better than war," and urged a commitment to diplomacy and peace. His words resonated deeply, especially in the context of current global tensions, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
During his speech, Charles expressed gratitude for those who served during the war, saying, "We unite to celebrate and remember with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible." He acknowledged the contributions of both soldiers and civilians, noting how the war changed lives across the nation.
The day began with a solemn thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey, where King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined approximately 78 veterans to honor those who fought against Nazi Germany. The service commenced with a two-minute silence observed nationwide, followed by the King laying a floral tribute at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, accompanied by a handwritten message: "We will never forget."
Among the attendees was 99-year-old Ken Hay, a veteran who served with the 4th Dorset infantry regiment. The service featured a candle lit by Alexander Churchill, the great-great-grandson of Winston Churchill, symbolizing peace. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, warned that the "good" achieved from the Second World War is "under threat again," calling for renewed efforts toward peace.
Reflecting on personal memories, King Charles shared an excerpt from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II's diary, in which she described her experience celebrating VE Day as a teenager. She wrote, "Out in the crowd again. Embankment, Piccadilly. Rained, so fewer people. Conga-ed into House. Sang till 2am. Bed at 3am!" This light-hearted recollection provided a moment of levity amid the solemn commemorations.
The King humorously noted, "I do hope your celebrations tonight are almost as joyful, although I rather doubt I shall have the energy to sing until 2am, let alone lead you all in a giant conga from here back to Buckingham Palace." His remarks were met with laughter from the audience at the evening concert, which featured performances by various artists and was broadcast live.
Earlier in the week, the Royal Family made efforts to ensure the VE Day commemorations were meaningful for surviving veterans. Charles expressed his hope that the celebrations would honor the legacy of those who fought for freedom. He remarked, "Just as those exceptional men and women fulfilled their duty to each other, to humankind, and to God, in turn it falls to us to protect and continue their precious legacy."
The concert culminated a week of events honoring VE Day, including a military parade and an RAF flypast witnessed by the royal family from Buckingham Palace. Pubs were granted extended hours to celebrate, staying open until 1 AM on May 9, 2025, in recognition of the anniversary.
As the nation commemorated the end of a devastating conflict, the King’s words served as a reminder of the importance of unity and the ongoing responsibility to pursue peace. He stated, "The Allied victory being celebrated then, as now, was a result of unity between nations, races, religions, and ideologies, fighting back against an existential threat to humanity."
King Charles concluded his speech with a call to action, urging the public to remember the past while looking forward to a future where peace prevails. He echoed his grandfather's sentiments, emphasizing that the sacrifices made during the war should not be in vain, and that it is the duty of the current generation to carry on the legacy of those who fought for freedom.
The VE Day commemorations not only honored the sacrifices of the past but also served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing need for peace and unity in a world still facing conflicts. As the nation reflected on this historic day, the call for a renewed commitment to freedom and justice resonated strongly, inspiring hope for future generations.
