Wells’ Joy Trew spoke to King Charles during VE day event

Senior royals waved to thousands of people from the Buckingham Palace balcony as a Red Arrows flypast marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe today (May 5 2025).

This was followed by a military procession, in which Nato allies marched alongside 1,300 members of the UK armed forces.

The King saluted as the procession reached the Queen Victoria Memorial.

Shortly after the royals took their seats, light drizzle prompted many to put up umbrellas, as the King helped to wrap veteran Joy Trew up in blankets.

READ MORE: Special event at retirement community to commemorate VE Day

Ms Trew, who signed up to join the war effort aged 17 and served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, said Charles had leaned down and tucked her blanket into her wheelchair during the parade to prevent her from getting chilly.

“He bent down and tucked me in,” she said.

Of the procession, Ms Trew, who grew up in Bristol but now lives in Wells in Somerset, said: “I said to him (the King) a lot of the women look formidable and he said ‘yes’.”

The 98-year-old said she discussed parenting with Charles and told him she had tried to be a strict mother to her children.