The Prince and Princess of Wales have joined the King and Queen to pay tribute to the wartime generation on VE Day.
Prince William, 42, and Kate, 43, are among the senior royals at the thanksgiving service to mark the 80th anniversary at Westminster Abbey in central London.
Also in attendance are the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.
The royal family led the congregation in a national two-minute silence of reflection and remembrance. The King then laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, followed by the Prince of Wales.
After the service, the King and Queen will have the opportunity to meet veterans in the congregation.
Camilla will also lead the royals in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial, outside the Abbey’s West Door.
© Anthony Harvey/ShutterstockThe Edinburghs
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrived alongside the Princess Royal. Sophie matched her sister-in-law in blue, wearing a long-sleeved dress by Beulah London.
© Anthony Harvey/ShutterstockThe Waleses
Prince William looked smart in a blue lounge suit with a Household Division tie. He wore his Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath Neck Order and also sported his Jubilee and Coronation medals.
Kate opted for a white polka dot midi dress by Alessandra Rich, previously worn for the Garter Day service in 2023.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageAll in the details
The Princess accessorised with a black veiled hat by Juliette Botterill and pearl earrings, which once belonged to William’s late mother, Princess Diana.
© Anthony Harvey/ShutterstockThe King’s arrival
Charles was all smiles upon arrival. His Majesty wore a blue pinstriped lounge suit with his medals and neck order.
© Anthony Harvey/ShutterstockQueen Camilla’s sentimental brooch
Her Majesty was elegant in a white crepe silk dress and white coat with black stitching by Anna Valentine, with a black and white hat by Philip Treacy.
She sported the brooch of the 12th Lancers – a nod to her late father’s regiment.
© GettyThe King’s wreath
The handwritten note on the monarch’s wreath read: “We will never forget. Charles R.”
© GettyPaying tribute
The Prince and Princess of Wales’s message on their wreath read: “For those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. We will remember them. William and Catherine.”
© Anthony Harvey/ShutterstockLady Victoria Starmer
The Prime Minister’s wife wore a cobalt blue ensemble.
© Anthony Harvey/ShutterstockThe Camerons
Former prime ministers were among the congregation, including David Cameron and his wife, Samantha.
© Anthony Harvey/ShutterstockThe Sunaks
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak was in attendance, along with his wife, Akshata Murty, who sported a collared red shift dress.
Later on Thursday, the King and Queen will be at Horse Guards Parade for a celebratory concert where Second World War veterans are expected to be among more than 12,500 guests.
A Buckingham Palace aide said: “The King, Queen and other members of the royal family are much looking forward to all the week’s VE Day events, when they will unite with the rest of the nation and those across the Commonwealth and wider world in celebrating, commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation whose selfless devotion duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all – and must never be forgotten.”
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