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Candles,kicker no poker wreaths, famous faces: VE Day at 80 in pictures8 May 2025ShareSaveEmma LynchPicture Editor, BBC NewsShareSavePA MediaEvents are taking place across the UK to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe. The King and Queen, as well as the prime minister and other senior royals, attended a service of thanksgiving and remembrance at Westminster Abbey.Julian Simmonds/The Telegraph/PA MediaAaron Chown/PA MediaAaron Chown/PA MediaThe service was preceded by a two-minute national silence to remember those who served in World War Two.King Charles and the Prince of Wales laid wreaths at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.Jordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERSJordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERSJordan Pettitt/POOL/AFPJordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERSJordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERSJordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERSThe Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, the dean of Westminster, led the service with a tribute to those "who have died the death of honour".Alexander Churchill, the 10-year-old great-great-grandson of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill lit a Candle of Peace, whilst young members of the congregation handed out flowers to veterans.Artefacts from the Second World War were processed through Westminster Abbey by members of the Armed Services.Aaron Chown/PA MediaAaron Chown/PA MediaJordan Pettitt/Pool via REUTERSJordan Pettitt/PA MediaJordan Pettitt/PA MediaPhil Noble/REUTERSThe Princess of Wales placed flowers at the Innocent Victims' Memorial, following a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.Phil Noble/REUTERSAaron Chown/PA mediaMPs and peers walked in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, re-enacting the historic walk MPs did from Parliament on VE Day in 1945.Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was towards the front of the procession, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, a little way behind.Stefan Rousseau/PA MediaStefan Rousseau/PA MediaJonathan Brady/PA MediaSome 1,800 guests attended the service including many veterans.Jordan Pettitt/Pool/Getty ImagesJordan Pettitt/PA MediaJordan Pettitt/PA MediaJordan Pettitt/Pool/Getty ImagesJordan Pettitt/PA MediaAmong the politicians attending today's service, were several former PMs, including Lord David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Sir John Major.Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty ImagesJulian Simmonds/The Telegraph/PA MediaJordan Pettitt/PA MediaSamir Hussein/WireImage/Getty ImagesMembers of the public observed the two-minute national silence.Leon Neal/Getty ImagesJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesCarl Court/Getty ImagesEarlier, Scotland's National Piper, Louise Marshall, played a lament at dawn to the fallen on Portobello Beach in Edinburgh. Jane Barlow/PA MediaUK Royal Family
