Fans of the Royal Family were delighted after they caught a glimpse of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis arriving at Buckingham Palace ahead of today’s VE Day commemorations. The children of the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived with their parents at the annual event known as Victory in Europe Day, which is celebrated on 8 May each year to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender in 1945.
George, Charlotte, Louis looked adorable in navy blue as they colour-matched their father and took their seats in the stands ahead of today’s military procession. The children were seen greeting veterans along with their parents. The Wales trio were last seen together in public at the Christmas Day church service on the Sandringham Estate.
Louis, who during past public appearances has stolen the show, did not disappoint royal fans and was seen at one moment sticking out his tongue – a trademark gesture for the young royal.
He also held William’s gold aiguillettes, the braided loops hanging from the shoulder of his RAF uniform, and appeared to touch his father’s shoulder again, and also held out his hands palms up as if he was testing for rain, which later fell.
When the Waleses and their children took their seats they shook the hand of Royal British Legion veteran Bernard Morgan, who was sitting next to Kate, and he appeared to show her photographs.
This week, the Royal Family will be out in full all week as they lead the nation in commemorating the milestone 80th anniversary of VE Day with a series of scheduled engagements.
Key engagements include today’s iconic balcony appearance and a special tea party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
On Thursday, the royals will attend a special service at Westminster Abbey, followed by a star-studded concert at Horse Guards Parade.
This year’s 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe marks the first major VE Day commemorations to be held in the absence of Queen Elizabeth II.
Elizabeth was meant to publicly lead the 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2020, but the Covid pandemic scuppered plans for widescale in-person national celebrations.
The late Queen had a personal link to the historic celebrations – as a young princess, she secretly joined thousands of revellers as they jubilantly gathered outside Buckingham Palace on the night of May 8 1945.