Thousands join VE Day celebrations

ROYALS ALSO MARK END OF WAR IN EUROPE

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SENIOR royals have joined thousands of people in London to observe a military procession to begin commemorations marking the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Nato allies joined 1,300 members of the UK armed forces for the parade, with the words of Sir Winston Churchill's 1945 victory speech spoken by actor Timothy Spall kicking off events for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

The King and Queen were joined in the royal box by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to watch the spectacle.

There was applause from the crowds as the royals took their seats, while William shook the hand of one veteran as he took his seat.

His children followed his example with Kate the last to greet the serviceman as she sat beside him.

He later appeared to show her some photographs and she took one to give it a closer look.

The royal family are scheduled to take part in engagements over the next four days, less than a week after the Duke of Sussex told the BBC his father will not speak to him and he does not know how much longer the King has left.

The King and Queen are "looking forward" to the week's events, and it is understood that, out of respect for the surviving veterans, Buckingham Palace hopes "nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries".