In a nod to his own family history, the King is today wearing the Naval No.1 Dress ceremonial uniform, with no medals or decorations, just as his grandfather, George VI, did when he appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony on VE Day, 1945, writes Royal Correspondent Victoria Ward.
On Tuesday May 8, 1945, George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret made the first of several balcony appearances at 3.11pm, immediately after the Prime Minister’s speech, much to the delight of the huge crowds on the Mall who had been chanting “We Want The King”. The monarch was wearing the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet.
The Queen is wearing a sapphire blue wool crepe dress and coat by Fiona Clare, with the 12th Royal Lancers Brooch, her late father’s regiment and the military unit she serves as Colonel in Chief.
Major Bruce Shand served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Cross in 1940, during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa, and was later wounded and taken prisoner while fighting in the same region. He died in June 2006 aged 89.
Meanwhile, the Princess Royal is wearing the uniform of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry with no decorations. Formed in 1901, the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry is an independent, all-female charity that was active in both nursing and intelligence work during the World Wars. Princess Anne has been commandant-in-chief of the corps since 1981.
The uniform is largely the same as the khaki uniform of the Auxiliary Territorial Services (ATS) worn by the late Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, during her Buckingham Palace balcony appearance on VE Day 1945.
The 19-year-old Princess had joined the ATS earlier that year. She was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member.
The Prince of Wales, who earned his wings at RAF Cranwell in 2008, is wearing RAF No.1 Uniform. He served for three years as a search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh, colonel of the Scots Guards, is wearing the Army No.2 Service Dress of the Scots Guards.
The Duke of Kent, who at 89, has spoken of his memories of the war, is wearing Field Marshal No.2 Service Dress.
