The Princess of Wales will make a major appearance to mark VE Day on May 5, it has been announced. The 43-year-old will be front and centre of the country’s commemorations for Victory in Europe.
Princess Kate will make her next appearance alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William – as well as being joined by Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence – who are currently in Turkey – and the Duke of Kent. Also joined by Sir Keir Starmer and veterans from the Royal British Legion, the royals will observe military units processing down The Mall.
Following the procession of more than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces, uniformed services and young people, which will begin at noon, the Royal Family will all head back to Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past from the balcony.
For further events to mark VE Day, Later in the day the King – as patron of the Royal British Legion – and Queen Camilla will host a tea party for around 50 veterans and people who lived through the war, including British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, Wrens, members of the Special Operations Executive.
The following day, on May 6, Queen Camilla, 77, will view a stunning new display of 30,000 ceremonial poppies at the Tower of London.
On May 8, the entire Royal Family will reunite again for a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.
Here, King Charles will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. He will then be followed by Prince William.
Also, later that day, the King and Queen will attend a live celebratory concert from Horse Guards Parade. This will be presented by Zoe Ball.
Mark Atkinson, who is the Director General of the Royal British Legion, said: “The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a special moment for the country and the Royal British Legion is incredibly proud to put Second World War veterans at the heart of the commemorations.”
It has not been confirmed whether Kate and William will be joined by their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and seven-year-old Prince Louis – on May 5.