Buckingham Palace snapshot brings back memories of the late Queen's VE Day journey

 

King Charles and other senior royals gathered veterans and civilians to see a massive military parade and flypast at the commencement of four days of commemorations honoring Victory in Europe (VE) Day's 80th anniversary.

The government has scheduled a series of activities to mark the anniversary of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945. It is observed on that date in numerous nations, including France, the United States, and Russia.

More than 1,300 members of the British armed forces marched through central London from outside parliament to Buckingham Palace, accompanied by Queen Camilla, Prince William and his wife Kate, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and war veterans.

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Monday's parade concluded with a flypast by historic military aircraft and the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows display team, which was watched by the royals from Buckingham Palace's balcony, as crowds flocked below to see the spectacle, many of whom were carrying national flags - the red, white, and blue Union Jack.

As the royals watched the procession and flypast, they were reminded of Queen Elizabeth's brave performance on VE Day in 1945.

The late Queen Elizabeth, then a 19-year-old princess, and her younger sister Margaret reportedly snuck out to join the crowd outside Buckingham Palace, thought to be the only occasion she went unnoticed during her 96-year reign.

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