VE Day 2025 latest: King Charles and royal family to show ‘united front’ for 80th anniversary celebration

The Met Office has predicted temperatures below average on Bank Holiday Monday after last week’s mini-heatwave – so those heading out for VE Day celebrations should remember to pack a jumper.

The forecaster says: “The cloudiest conditions are expected in the south and east, with further scattered showers possible at times. Temperatures on Monday may be a touch higher than Sunday, but still below average and feeling chilly, especially along the east coast.”

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson adds: “We reach our coldest temperatures on Sunday and Monday. Then from Tuesday onwards we’re likely to see a very gradual increase in temperatures day on day, though not to the levels of warmth we’ve seen recently. High pressure will continue to dominate the UK weather next week, bringing largely dry weather and variable cloud amounts.”

The picture below shows the official map of the VE Day procession and flypast, with the procession route marked in red.

The public can watch the procession at the viewing areas along the route marked in brown, while suggested walking routes from nearby stations are shown in orange.

The image also shows various facilities at the viewing areas and along the route, including water refill points, toilets, medical points, and kiosks to buy food and drinks.

VE Day events for the military procession will start at midday with a short ceremony in Parliament Square.

Then, at 12.10pm, the procession will leave the square to travel along Whitehall and The Mall, finishing at the Queen Victoria Memorial.

The flypast over The Mall and Buckingham Palace will then take place at 1.45pm.

The sacrifices of the Second World War will be remembered this week as the King and Queen lead the nation in events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The words of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech, spoken by actor Timothy Spall, will begin the VE Day commemorations, which will feature displays by the Red Arrows, appearances by senior royals and street parties across the UK.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Bank Holiday Monday to hear the performance of Churchill’s speech, as well as taking in a military procession and a flypast.

Read a full list of things to look out for in this week’s VE celebrations:

Amid the jubilant throngs celebrating VE Day outside Buckingham Palace, a teenage Princess Elizabeth, just 19, danced unnoticed after slipping into the crowds on May 8, 1945 with her sister Princess Margaret.

The princesses joined in the revelry, dancing the hokey cokey and the Lambeth Walk, and even participating in chants of “We want the King” at the Palace railings.

Their evening’s adventure extended beyond the Palace gates, walking for miles and even dancing the conga through the Ritz hotel in Piccadilly.

The Queen, speaking in 1985, recalled: “My sister and I realised we couldn’t see what the crowds were enjoying… so we asked my parents if we could got out and see for ourselves…”

The Queen said: “After crossing Green Park we stood outside and shouted ‘We want the King’, and were successful in seeing my parents on the balcony, having cheated slightly because we sent a message into the house to say we were waiting outside.

“I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.”

Terrified of being recognised on the streets, she “pulled my uniform cap well down over my eyes” but was told off by a Grenadier officer who was part of their group.

King Charles is hoping that the bombshell Prince Harry BBC interview will be forgotten about as the UK turns its attention towards VE Day celebrations in central London.

Prince Harry on Friday claimed the King will not speak to him and he does not know “how much longer my father has”, adding that the court battle over his security “is a family dispute”.

When asked if Charles had been approached to use his influence in Harry’s legal problems, the duke appeared to imply the King was a hindrance, a comment likely to deepen the rift with his father and his brother, Prince William.

The candid interview with BBC News in California came on Friday after losing an appeal over the levels of security he and his family are entitled to while in the UK.

Here The Independent breaks down the key moments from the interview.

There is a chance of some rain during the military procession and subsequent flypast.

The Met Office says there is a 50 per cent chance of rain in London at 12pm, dropping to 10 per cent by 2pm – which is shortly after the flypast is scheduled.

Temperatures will be cool at around 12 degrees celsius.

The King, Queen, Sir Keir Starmer and Second World War veterans will be on a platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.

Members of the Royal Family are later expected to make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the RAF flypast.

Large crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace in 1945 to catch a glimpse of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

The young Princess Elizabeth sneaked out into the streets to join the celebrating crowds and later spoke of being swept up in a “tide of happiness and relief”.

Following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, this year will be the first landmark VE Day commemoration without any of the royals who stood on the balcony that day.