Today marks 80 years since Winston Churchill made a long-awaited announcement – that the scourge of war that had gripped the world for six cruel years was finally at an end. To mark the momentous anniversary, the UK has a day of pageantry on the cards, with events planned to honour those who gave their lives during World War Two to stop fascism in its tracks.
But with the rise of ugly ideologies like those peddled by Adolf Hitler making an appearance across the globe, today’s celebrations seem more poignant than ever. A group of veterans has wisely reminded us “to remember is also our best hope of avoiding it ever happening again”.
Kicking off events today, a monumental procession of more than 1,300 Armed Forces personnel, uniformed services and young people will march to Buckingham Palace from Parliament Square, where Churchill’s iconic VE Day speech will be read by an actor at midday. Second World War veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will then be passed the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace by a young person. The procession will go from Parliament Square, down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall before finishing at Buckingham Palace.
Nexy, His Majesty and Queen Camilla will watch a Bank Holiday procession and fly-past from the Red Arrows.
