The VE Day 80 celebrations will feature a spectacular military procession and flypast through and above central London on May 5.
More than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces will march from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace to commemorate 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The public is invited to line The Mall to watch the procession, which will culminate in a flypast featuring the Red Arrows and other military aircraft.
Miles of viewing areas are set to be put in place all down The Mall itself, as well as along Whitehall.
The procession will begin at midday when Big Ben strikes, starting with an actor reciting extracts from Winston Churchill’s iconic VE Day speech in Parliament Square.
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MAPPED: Where can you watch the VE Day procession? Crowds can line The Mall to celebrate 80 years since Victory in Europe Day
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A young person will then pass the Commonwealth War Graves Torch for Peace to 100-year-old Second World War veteran Alan Kennett.
The route will take participants down Whitehall, past the Union Flag-dressed Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery will lead the procession.
They will be followed by marching members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force.
Cadets and other uniformed youth groups will also participate, ensuring the message of VE Day reaches a new generation.
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More than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces will march from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace
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The Prime Minister and Second World War veterans supported by the Royal British Legion will watch from a specially built dais on the Queen Victoria Memorial.
Members of the public are encouraged to gather along The Mall.
The procession will conclude with a flypast featuring the Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft.
The display will include Second World War-era aircraft from the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Modern aircraft participating include a Voyager transport aircraft, P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets.
The Red Arrows will provide the finale with their iconic red, white and blue smoke trails.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “VE Day 80 is a chance for us to come together and celebrate our veterans and ensure their legacy of peace is passed on to future generations.”
The procession will conclude with a flypast featuring the Red Arrows (pictured) and 23 current and historic military aircraft
PA
Defence Secretary John Healey added: “Our whole nation is invited to join together to reflect on the sacrifices of all those who fought for peace.”
Veteran Alan Kennett, who will participate in the procession, recalled: “I remember Battle of Britain pilot Johnnie Johnson bursting in and shouting ‘the war is over’. A big party soon followed.”
The public is encouraged to host street parties across the country as part of the Great British Food Festival, led by the Together Coalition and the Big Lunch.
On Thursday, May 8 – exactly 80 years since VE Day – a service will take place at Westminster Abbey followed by an evening concert at Horse Guards Parade.
