Britain\u2019s King Charles and heir to the throne Prince William laid wreaths in Westminster Abbey on Thursday at the culmination of the country\u2019s four days of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.<\/p>\n
The thanksgiving service in the abbey began with a two-minute silence, which was also observed across the country, to remember Nazi Germany\u2019s unconditional surrender, which took effect on May 8th, 1945.<\/p>\n
Charles and William, military medals pinned on their chest and standing beside elderly veterans in wheelchairs, laid wreaths at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, in a show of respect for those who gave their lives in the second World War.<\/p>\n
The anniversary, which came at a time of ongoing conflict in Europe with Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine, was also marked with events in France and Germany, while Moscow will hold a large military parade on Friday.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a defence conference in London on Thursday, British prime minister Keir Starmer called the day a celebration of defiance, sacrifice and courage. \u201cA victory not just for Britain but for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
French president Emmanuel Macron laid a wreath at the statue of French wartime hero Charles de Gaulle in Paris and inspected a troop parade at the Arc de Triomphe. Dozens of second World War-era vehicles paraded down the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es avenue.<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy takes a closer look at the history of how VE Day was reported in Ireland. <\/p>\n
VE Day\u2019s 80th anniversary will be one of the last big celebrations with living veterans attending events, as most are now in their 90s or older. British veterans were among the congregation at Westminster Abbey in London. They were greeted by Charles and his wife Queen Camilla after the service, before senior royals also laid flowers at a memorial nearby.<\/p>\n
One 100-year-old D-Day veteran has shared his powerful memories of the war outside Westminster Abbey. Peter Kent, from Westminster, served in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Adventurer and took part in the Normandy landings.<\/p>\n