On May 8, 2025, the United Kingdom marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) with a series of poignant commemorations and celebratory events, culminating in a spectacular concert at Horse Guards Parade in London. This special event saw the attendance of senior royals, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were joined by a crowd of 12,000 people, including veterans and their families.
Princess Kate, 43, made a striking appearance in an all-white ensemble featuring a structured blazer and a feminine skirt, complemented by a black clutch and a statement bow in her hair. This concert represented her third public appearance of the week, marking a confident return to royal duties after a year of treatment for cancer.
Accompanied by Prince William, 42, the royal couple engaged with several veterans in attendance, including a remarkable 107-year-old bomber pilot who had flown 62 missions during World War II. The couple's presence at the concert, along with King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, was a heartfelt tribute to those who served during the war.
Earlier in the day, the royals participated in a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, where they joined a congregation of 1,800 in observing a two-minute silence to honor the sacrifices made during the war. King Charles laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, emphasizing the importance of remembering the wartime generation.
The evening concert, titled "VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember," was hosted by Zoe Ball and broadcast live on BBC One. It featured performances from a star-studded lineup, including Samantha Barks, Fleur East, John Newman, and Calum Scott, along with tributes from actors such as Brian Cox and Dame Joan Collins. The concert aimed to evoke the spirit of the original VE Day celebrations, which took place 80 years ago when King George VI announced the end of the war in Europe.
Attendees of the concert were treated to a variety of performances, including a heartfelt rendition of the wartime anthem "(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover" by Zizi Strallen, who had recently joined the cast of the musical Wicked. Her performance was part of a service of thanksgiving held earlier that day at Westminster Abbey, where a national two-minute silence was observed.
During the concert, King Charles lightened the mood by joking about his lack of energy to lead the audience in a conga line back to Buckingham Palace, referencing a diary entry from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated VE Day as a teenager. His playful remarks brought laughter from the audience, including the royal box where the Prince and Princess of Wales were seated.
The concert's format combined music, storytelling, and tributes, creating a moving salute to the veterans. Performers included popular acts like The Darkness, who played their hit "I Believe In A Thing Called Love," and Keala Settle, who performed alongside cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. The audience was captivated by emotional performances, including Tom Walker's "Leave The Light On" and Freya Ridings' "Lost Without You," which intertwined the love letters of a veteran's wife.
As the night progressed, the atmosphere became increasingly nostalgic, with many attendees wearing red, white, and blue as they waved flags in celebration. The concert concluded with Samantha Barks delivering a moving rendition of "We’ll Meet Again," a song that has become synonymous with wartime resilience.
In the spirit of remembrance, pubs across the country were granted permission to stay open until 1 a.m. on May 9 to allow patrons to continue their celebrations. This gesture recognized the significance of the occasion and the collective memory of the sacrifices made during World War II.
Throughout the week, the royal family honored the 80th anniversary of VE Day with various events, starting with a military procession and RAF flypast at Buckingham Palace on May 5. The Prince and Princess of Wales even brought their children—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—along for a surprise appearance, marking a significant moment in their royal upbringing.
The concert and commemorative events were not just a celebration of victory but also a reminder of the ongoing need for peace and unity. King Charles emphasized this point in his address, reflecting on the lessons learned from history and the importance of fostering a just peace in the present day. He quoted his grandfather, King George VI, stating, "We shall have failed, and the blood of our dearest will have flowed in vain, if the victory which they died to win does not lead to a lasting peace, founded on justice and established in good will."
As the U.K. reflects on the legacy of VE Day, the events of May 8, 2025, serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the wartime generation and the importance of remembering their stories. The concert at Horse Guards Parade, along with the earlier service at Westminster Abbey, encapsulated both the joy of victory and the somber remembrance of those who fought for freedom.
