VE Day spectacle brings thousands out to celebrate

BUCKINGHAM Palace's famous balcony hosted the royal family’s VE Day commemorations 80 years after King George VI first marked the Second World War's end from the same spot.

- PA REPORTERS

The historic moment saw thousands flock to The Mall in 1945 and the scenes were repeated yesterday as crowds gathered to greet the King and Queen and watch an RAF flypast after an armed forces parade through the capital.

Members of the monarchy sat with veterans as the current crop of servicemen and women, including Nato allies, marched past in recognition of those who served to defeat Hitler's Nazi regime and bring peace to Europe.

Among the veterans joining the royals at the parade was 98-year-old Joy Trew - who said the King “tucked her in” as she got cold during the event.

Ms Trew, who grew up in Bristol and now lives in Wells, Somerset, signed up to join the war effort aged 17 and served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, after seeing German aeroplanes drop bombs over her school playground.

Yesterday she 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, 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.

Many veterans taking part in VE Day commemorations had not told their stories before, the director general of the Royal British Legion (RBL) said.

Mark Atkinson told BBC Breakfast yesterday morning: “We want to make sure that all of our veterans are at the very heart of these commemorations so we put the call out to invite

people to step forward, to share their experiences, to tell their stories and to be here today at Buckingham Palace for the start of what is a week of commemorations and celebrations.