2. Huge crowds of people who had gathered either side of the Mall have now been allowed to walk down towards Buckingham Palace.
3. A number of cadets and army veterans are sat in the VIP Box which has since been vacated after the Royal Family members their spaces.
4. Everyone wants to get up close to see the famous Buckingham Palace balcony and the imminent military fly over including the Lancaster Bomber and Red Arrows display.
7. Ashitha Nagesh
8. Reporting from the Mall
9. Several street cleaning vehicles are making their way past – and get their own applause from the crowd.
10. It’s a reminder of how many people are involved in all aspects of the day, including those working behind the scenes.
13. Sean Coughlan
14. Royal correspondent, reporting from the Mall
15. Image source, PA Media
16. This 80th anniversary of VE Day event is marking an important historic milestone, but there’s also a poignant sense of watching a moment in history that’s slipping away.
17. There were a couple of dozen veterans in the viewing platform before, alongside the royals and various dignitaries, as they watched the procession.
18. Those veterans are representatives of a shrinking number of that generation, now in their late nineties and older.
19. They fought for the democracy that is represented in the political leaders around them, helping to defeat the Nazi dictatorship in Germany.
20. This week’s commemorations must be one of the last big public moments when sizeable numbers of that generation will be present to remember.
23. Image source, PA Media
24. The military procession has just wrapped up, but we’re still expecting more pageantry today:
25. Red Arrows in the skies: Over 1,300 armed forces personnel took part in a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace – the flypast is due at 13:45 BST
26. Royals on the balcony: King Charles and Queen Camilla will appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside senior members of the Royal Family
27. Street parties and get-togethers: HMS Belfast is hosting a private VE Day 80th anniversary event, with Radio 5 Live’s Matt Chorley joining for afternoon tea. In the evening, there’s a late night extravaganza, external with drinks, music and special guests
28. You can find out more about what’s happening today and other events running until 8 May here.
31. Image source, PA Media
32. As the procession concludes, members of the Royal Family can be seen leaving their front-row seats from the VIP box.
33. They are now heading up to the balcony of Buckingham Palace – which has been dressed up for the next stage of today’s VE Day commemoration.
34. Image source, PA Media
37. Image source, PA Media
38. The last troops have now reached Buckingham Palace where the procession will end. King Charles could be seen standing throughout to salute those marching as they passed.
39. Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve seen:
42. Image source, Reuters
43. Image source, EPA
44. Image source, EPA
47. Mallory Moench
48. Reporting from the Mall
49. On stage, Prince William and Princess Catherine are leaning over at times to talk to their three children sat between them, pointing at different things in the procession like the Commonwealth flags.
50. Image source, Getty Images
51. Image caption,
52. The Princess of Wales shares a laugh with her daughter, Princess Charlotte
55. We’ve just seen this striking picture of the King on his feet saluting soldiers on horseback, as they salute back.
56. Image source, Reuters
59. Ashitha Nagesh
60. Reporting from the Mall
61. My colleague Simon King reported earlier that there was a risk of showers in parts of south east England today.
62. Well, that risk is becoming a reality here on the Mall, where I’ve just felt the first few rain drops of the day.
63. After the unseasonably warm weather of the past few weeks, few people seem to have expected this. I can’t see a single umbrella in sight.
64. Rain or shine, it won’t impact the flypast that is happening here at 13:45 BST, Simon King reports.
67. Image source, Getty Images
68. One of the monuments the procession passed by was the Women of World War II on Whitehall.
69. The late Queen Elizabeth was one of the women who served in World War Two – she trained as a mechanic and military driver after signing up to the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
72. Mallory Moench
73. Reporting from the Mall
74. 
75. Armed police aren’t watching today’s procession – they’re standing with their backs to it, watching the crowd lining the fence along the Mall as groups of different armed forces march past to a beating drum.
78. Sean Coughlan
79. Royal correspondent, reporting from the Mall
80. Image source, EPA
81. There was also applause from the royal viewing platform as a Ukrainian contingent walked by in the military procession, carrying the blue and yellow flag of their country.
82. It’s a reminder of conflicts of the present, as well as those in the past.
85. Image source, Reuters
86. Positioned all along the Mall are families, royal enthusiasts and tourists who arrived early, well-equipped and in some cases extremely well-dressed.
87. The crowds at the foot of the Mall – near Admiralty Arch – broke into a flutter of applause not long ago as the contingent of Ukrainian soldiers walked by as part of the procession.
90. Mallory Moench
91. Reporting from the Mall
92. Media caption,
93. Starmer is also seen among royals as the King salutes parade
94. The next part of that procession has just passed, with another salute for the King.
95. They were carrying instruments – some small and some large, like a tuba or a drum.
96. I could see small sheets of music in plastic sheathing attached to their harnesses – just in case it rained.
99. Image source, Getty Images
100. Image source, Getty Images
101. Image source, PA Media
102. Image source, Reuters
105. Mallory Moench
106. Reporting from the Mall
107. The clip clip of horses’ hooves and the rattle of wheels can be heard on the Mall as teams of horses pulling wagons behind them in the first part of procession reach Buckingham Palace.
108. The King stood and saluted as they passed.
109. Media caption,
110. VE Day 80th anniversary parade begins in central London
113. As the Royal Family watch the procession go by, Prince Louis can be spotted pulling at his father – Prince William’s – uniform.
114. Image source, Reuters
117. Ashitha Nagesh
118. Reporting from the Mall
119. 
120. Phones up – the procession is here.
121. There are cheers, claps and whoops from the crowd as the procession reaches us.
122. And of course, plenty of phones in the air trying to capture the moment on camera.
125. Sean Coughlan
126. Royal correspondent, reporting from the Mall
127. King Charles, wearing naval uniform, is sitting next to one of the veterans, 98-year-old Joy Trew, who served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force as a wireless operator.
128. Prince William and Catherine and their three children are also on the viewing platform waiting to see the parade come up the Mall.
129. With the King and Queen that’s three generations of royals.
130. Will they be thinking of previous generations? The late Queen Elizabeth was a young woman in her twenties on VE Day in 1945.
131. King Charles was part of that post-war generation, born in Buckingham Palace in 1948, at a time when there was still wartime rationing.
132. Media caption,
133. Members of the royal family greet veterans

Page 2

2. Mallory Moench
3. Reporting from the Mall
4. Image source, Reuters
5. As the Royal Family exited from Buckingham Palace, a bugle played.
6. They were accompanied by military members as they walked in front of the palace, behind the fountain.
7. Applause broke out in the crowds as the royals arrived on stage.
8. I could see the Princess of Wales shaking hands with a veteran and leaning over to talk to him before she took a seat beside him and her children.
9. Image source, Reuters
12. Prince William and Princess Catherine can be seen in the stands too – along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
13. The Royal Family are now sitting and talking with members of the public sat near them.
14. Image source, PA Media
17. Mallory Moench
18. Reporting from the Mall
19. Image source, PA Media
20. Keir Starmer has also just arrived at the stage, shaking hands along the row as he took his seat.
21. His arrival caused some excitement among cadets on the other side of the road, where I was standing, where young people were trying to spot famous faces across the way.
24. 
25. King Charles and Queen Camilla have just taken their seats in the box next to Buckingham Palace, alongside other Royal Family members and guests.
26. Watch along with them as they take in the military procession by tapping watch live at the top of the page.
29. The military procession around central London has just begun.
30. As a reminder, he’s an overview of the route and the landmarks that it will be passing by:
31. 
34. Image source, PA Media
35. Next, the Torch for Peace, organised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, was presented to veteran Alan Kennett – who will turn 101 at the end of this month.
36. He then gave permission for the procession to start at Parliament Square – and with that the mounted soldiers lead the way up Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square.
39. Image source, Reuters
40. Actor Timothy Spall, who portrayed the wartime prime minister in the 2010 film The King’s Speech, finishes reciting the victory speech, which detailed the signatories on each side of the peace agreement.
41. “Do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be-unconquered,” he says.
44. Media caption,
45. Timothy Spall reads Churchill’s famous victory speech
46. With military members gathered in Parliament Square, actor Timothy Spall now proceeds with a reading of the famous victory speech made by Winston Churchill on 8 May 1945.
47. He begins:
48. “My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny. After a while we were left all alone against the most tremendous military power that has been seen. We were all alone for a whole year.”
51. Big Ben is sounding across London.
52. The iconic chimes will soon fade into silence, and actor Timothy Spall will begin reading a portion of Winston Churchill’s VE Day broadcast. You can watch the original in full below.
55. 
56. Big Ben strikes midday and so today’s commemorative events begin.
57. Actor Timothy Spall will read part of Winston Churchill’s VE Day broadcast from 8 May 1945.
58. A military procession, watched by the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales, will shortly begin to make its way from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace.
61. Image source, PA Media
62. The King has left Clarence House and has made the short journey to Buckingham Palace ahead of the VE Day commemorations – which are just moments away from starting.
63. You can follow updates on this page, or by pressing watch live above.
66. Image source, Reuters
67. Image source, Reuters
68. Image source, Reuters
69. Image caption,
70. Alan Kenett, a 100-year-old veteran, will lead today’s military procession – getting started at 12:10 BST
73. Mallory Moench
74. Reporting from the Mall
75. 
76. We’re just minutes away from the VE Day military procession starting, and I’ve just finished chatting with Richard Singleton.
77. He tells me he was just six months old when his father was killed in March 1943 while serving in the Royal Navy.
78. Richard, who’s from Bolton, moved to Canada decades ago, but today he happens to be back in UK while on a month-long visit.
79. Jenny Sirell, beside him, says she was determined they would come to the Mall today.
80. Sirell’s father also served in the war, and she says she commemorates it “for all the people that are so brave to give up their lives like that. It’s emotional”.
81. Singleton says he always remembers Armistice Day in Canada, “lest we forget”.
84. Image source, PA Media
85. We’ll be seeing many members of the Royal Family throughout the day as they take part in and watch the VE Day commemorations. Absent, however, will be the the Duke of Sussex.
86. Today’s events follow Prince Harry’s recent interview with the BBC in which he expressed his wish for a “reconciliation” with his family following another court dismissing his appeal over his security arrangements in the UK.
87. “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious,” Prince Harry told the BBC, who said the dispute over his security had “always been the sticking point”.
88. Harry spoke candidly about his relationship with the Royal Family – including about the fact the King “won’t speak to me because of this security stuff”.
89. The Royal Family has since said it is hoping “nothing will detract or distract” from VE Day commemorations this week.

• For context: The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stepped down from being senior working royals in January 2020, and moved to California in June of the same year. Prince Harry remains a prince and is fifth in line to the throne.

3. Gem O’Reilly
4. Reporting from the Mall
5. 
6. Image caption,
7. Lorraine Kinnear is dressed for the occasion
8. I’ve been among the BBC reporters this morning speaking to those lining the Mall waiting for the procession.
9. Lorraine Kinnear, 52, from Hampstead says it’s “important” to remember those that have gone before us.
10. Today is her way of paying her respects to the armed forces “who still go into war today”.
11. Catherine Denham from Essex says: “We should never forget these moments, for the military and the civilians that lost their lives we need to keep that memory alive. This is a massive occasion to commemorate.”
14. Image source, Getty Images
15. Image caption,
16. The Red Arrows also flew over Buckingham Palace to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022
17. As we just mentioned, a little later today, the armed forces procession to Buckingham Palace will be followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft.
18. This will include the Royal Airforce’s Red Arrows, famous for the red, white and blue smoke trails they leave in the sky.
19. An institution as synonymous with national celebrations as union jack bunting, the Red Arrows have been performing since 1965.
20. The group is the Royal Air Force’s aerobatic team, and takes its name from the distinctive bright red hawk fast-jets flown by its pilots.
21. The troupe typically flies in a trademark diamond nine shape, and is based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, with all pilots having also flown operationally in frontline aircraft.
24. Simon King
25. BBC weather presenter and meteorologist
26. It’s going to be a mostly cloudy day in London with a small possibility of a shower passing through, especially around lunchtime.
27. It’s been quite chilly this morning with temperatures climbing from around 7-11C up to 15C during the afternoon.
28. If there is a passing shower, it shouldn’t affect the military flypast going down the Mall and over Buckingham Palace at around 13:45 BST.
29. The height of cloud is a more important consideration for the Royal Air Force and while a shower would lower the cloud base, it will still be safe and above the limit for the aircraft taking part.
32. Ashitha Nagesh
33. Reporting from the Mall
34. 
35. Though some set their alarm clocks for dawn in order to secure a prime position, there are plenty of people gathered here at the Mall who didn’t arrive in time for a front-row spot.
36. But they’ve found another bit of prime real estate – the bollards that line the Mall.
39. We’ve just seen images of the Princess Royal arriving at Buckingham Palace ahead of the military procession.
40. Princess Anne took a moment to wave towards the crowds that have been gathered outside the Palace for several hours now.
41. Image source, PA Media
42. Image source, PA Media
45. Image source, Reuters
46. We’re now getting some movement in central London as soldiers mounted on horses start to make their way towards Parliament Square for the start of the procession.
47. The Household Cavalry and the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, are leading the way slowly down the Mall flanked by people who have gathered either side of the road.
48. We are building up to the start of the procession which will begin after Big Ben chimes at midday.
49. Image source, Reuters

Page 3

2. Mallory Moench
3. Reporting from the Mall
4. 
5. We’re just minutes away from the VE Day military procession starting, and I’ve just finished chatting with Richard Singleton.
6. He tells me he was just six months old when his father was killed in March 1943 while serving in the Royal Navy.
7. Richard, who’s from Bolton, moved to Canada decades ago, but today he happens to be back in UK while on a month-long visit.
8. Jenny Sirell, beside him, says she was determined they would come to the Mall today.
9. Sirell’s father also served in the war, and she says she commemorates it “for all the people that are so brave to give up their lives like that. It’s emotional”.
10. Singleton says he always remembers Armistice Day in Canada, “lest we forget”.
13. Image source, PA Media
14. We’ll be seeing many members of the Royal Family throughout the day as they take part in and watch the VE Day commemorations. Absent, however, will be the the Duke of Sussex.
15. Today’s events follow Prince Harry’s recent interview with the BBC in which he expressed his wish for a “reconciliation” with his family following another court dismissing his appeal over his security arrangements in the UK.
16. “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious,” Prince Harry told the BBC, who said the dispute over his security had “always been the sticking point”.
17. Harry spoke candidly about his relationship with the Royal Family – including about the fact the King “won’t speak to me because of this security stuff”.
18. The Royal Family has since said it is hoping “nothing will detract or distract” from VE Day commemorations this week.

• For context: The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stepped down from being senior working royals in January 2020, and moved to California in June of the same year. Prince Harry remains a prince and is fifth in line to the throne.

3. Gem O’Reilly
4. Reporting from the Mall
5. 
6. Image caption,
7. Lorraine Kinnear is dressed for the occasion
8. I’ve been among the BBC reporters this morning speaking to those lining the Mall waiting for the procession.
9. Lorraine Kinnear, 52, from Hampstead says it’s “important” to remember those that have gone before us.
10. Today is her way of paying her respects to the armed forces “who still go into war today”.
11. Catherine Denham from Essex says: “We should never forget these moments, for the military and the civilians that lost their lives we need to keep that memory alive. This is a massive occasion to commemorate.”
14. Image source, Getty Images
15. Image caption,
16. The Red Arrows also flew over Buckingham Palace to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022
17. As we just mentioned, a little later today, the armed forces procession to Buckingham Palace will be followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft.
18. This will include the Royal Airforce’s Red Arrows, famous for the red, white and blue smoke trails they leave in the sky.
19. An institution as synonymous with national celebrations as union jack bunting, the Red Arrows have been performing since 1965.
20. The group is the Royal Air Force’s aerobatic team, and takes its name from the distinctive bright red hawk fast-jets flown by its pilots.
21. The troupe typically flies in a trademark diamond nine shape, and is based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, with all pilots having also flown operationally in frontline aircraft.
24. Simon King
25. BBC weather presenter and meteorologist
26. It’s going to be a mostly cloudy day in London with a small possibility of a shower passing through, especially around lunchtime.
27. It’s been quite chilly this morning with temperatures climbing from around 7-11C up to 15C during the afternoon.
28. If there is a passing shower, it shouldn’t affect the military flypast going down the Mall and over Buckingham Palace at around 13:45 BST.
29. The height of cloud is a more important consideration for the Royal Air Force and while a shower would lower the cloud base, it will still be safe and above the limit for the aircraft taking part.
32. Ashitha Nagesh
33. Reporting from the Mall
34. 
35. Though some set their alarm clocks for dawn in order to secure a prime position, there are plenty of people gathered here at the Mall who didn’t arrive in time for a front-row spot.
36. But they’ve found another bit of prime real estate – the bollards that line the Mall.
39. We’ve just seen images of the Princess Royal arriving at Buckingham Palace ahead of the military procession.
40. Princess Anne took a moment to wave towards the crowds that have been gathered outside the Palace for several hours now.
41. Image source, PA Media
42. Image source, PA Media
45. Image source, Reuters
46. We’re now getting some movement in central London as soldiers mounted on horses start to make their way towards Parliament Square for the start of the procession.
47. The Household Cavalry and the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, are leading the way slowly down the Mall flanked by people who have gathered either side of the road.
48. We are building up to the start of the procession which will begin after Big Ben chimes at midday.
49. Image source, Reuters
52. Sean Coughlan
53. Royal correspondent, reporting from the Mall
54. Image source, Reuters
55. Outside Buckingham Palace, there’s a feel of a great stage being prepared, getting ready for the event to begin.
56. The Royal Standard has gone up over the Palace and the balcony is draped with its red and gold covering. The Royal Family will be there later, having walked through what have been called the world’s most famous net curtains.
57. There’s a viewing platform built around the Queen Victoria Memorial, which will later be filled with dignitaries, but is already filling up with guests, who are wrapped up against the chilly weather.
58. They’re watching horse artillery trotting past as they head to take part in the parade that’s going to begin in Westminster.
61. We’re less than an hour away from the chimes of Big Ben ringing out at midday, marking the start of today’s VE Day commemoration.
62. A military procession will make its way from Parliament Square towards Buckingham Palace, and the people who have been gathering along the route since dawn are probably feeling quite smug, as the crowds are now quite large, as you can see below:
63. Image source, Reuters
64. Image source, PA Media
65. Image source, Reuters
66. Image source, PA Media
69. Image source, PA Media
70. Image caption,
71. RAF veteran Alan Kennett, who will turn 101 on 29 May, will formally start today’s military procession
72. Thirty one World War Two veterans are expected to attend the VE Day commemorations taking place today and 26 of them will be taking in the sights of the military procession getting under way in under an hour.
73. Among the group will be Henry Ducker, who at 104 years old, will be the oldest veteran in attendance.
74. Ducker will also attend a tea party that the King and Queen are hosting at Buckingham Palace later this afternoon, which will be attended by other veterans, their families and members of the wartime generation.
75. In the lead up to VE Day at 80, the BBC has been collecting first-hand accounts of World War Two, which you can read more about in our We Were There project.
78. Mallory Moench
79. Reporting from the Mall
80. 
81. Meanwhile, back at the Mall, I’ve just finished catching up with Grace Gothard, from Mitcham, and Satvinder Cubb, from Chingford.
82. They’re both donning hand-stitched outfits today. Gothard wears a union jack dress draped in a flag from Ghana, while Cubb is wearing a frock made from two “Lest we forget” scarves.
83. They both wanted to be here today to remember all the people “who fought for us”, as the last generation of World War Two veterans are growing older, Cubb says.
84. For her, the message of VE Day is to bring together people from different countries and different age groups to say: “Why don’t we unite together? Why can’t there be peace?”
85. “We are humans. We should all be one.”
88. We’ll be bringing you all the updates from today’s national procession here in London, but events are also taking place across the UK.
89. That, of course, means bunting and Victoria sponge cakes aplenty.
90. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique ways the country’s regions are marking 80 years since fighting ended in Europe.
91. Image source, Dunchurch Festival Group
92. Image caption,
93. The statue of Lord John Scott, in Dunchurch, Warwickshire, has been transformed into a World War Two soldier – complete with British tin helmet and a gun
94. Image source, Peterborough City Council
95. Image caption,
96. The bunting is out in Peterborough, where a vintage tea party is being hosted
97. Image source, Mark Carter
98. Image caption,
99. In Godstone, Surrey, 113 crosses mark the lives lost from the village during the two world wars
102. Mallory Moench
103. Reporting from London
104. 
105. To celebrate the start of VE Day at 80, Transport for London employee Claire Snelling at Green Park station isn’t holding back.
106. She is wearing a giant red, white and blue hair bow that she purchased for the Queen’s Jubilee, a bedazzled union jack bow tie, a poppy and TfL pins which line her lanyard.
107. A bit earlier, Snelling was stopped by a female passenger who wanted to take a selfie with her.
108. “I thought I’d come in early before the madness starts,” the woman says.
109. “But it’ll be a nice mad,” Snelling smiles.
110. Snelling says she’s known around the station for dressing up for St Patrick’s Day, Christmas, and other holidays.
111. “She’s a bit of a celebrity,” her colleague beside her jokes.
112. Snelling says she has no idea how many people will pass through the station nearest the procession today, but even though it’ll be busy, “it’s just fun, it’ll be a nice atmosphere”.
115. Image source, Getty Images
116. Image caption,
117. Actor Timothy Spall – spotted during rehearsals earlier – is due to read a section of Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech as part of the commemorations
118. We’re only a couple hours out from a military procession starting in central London to commemorate VE Day at 80.
119. Here are the key details for how to follow along:
120. Timings
121. We have a full set of key timings for you to set your watch by, but here’s a quick summary of the day’s events:

• 12:00 BST: events will begin with actor Timothy Spall reading part of Winston Churchill’s VE Day broadcast, and then a military procession will make its way from Parliament Square over to Buckingham Palace
• 13:45 BST: The King and Queen will watch a flypast of current and historic military aircraft over Buckingham Palace

1. The procession route
2. After starting out in Parliament Square, the procession will head towards Whitehall, where it will pass by the Cenotaph.
3. It will then turn up towards the Mall at Trafalgar Square, before finishing at Buckingham Palace.
4. Weather
5. According to our BBC Weather team, it will be a mostly cloudy day in London, with temperatures ranging from around 7C to 15C in the afternoon.
6. Brollies might be required for those on the Mall, but a possible small shower isn’t expected to affect the military flypast.
7. How to follow along
8. We’ll of course have all the cheers and key moments right here, but you can also follow along by pushing watch live at the top of the page, or you can tune in to our special VE Day at 80 coverage on BBC One.
11. Mallory Moench
12. Reporting from The Mall
13. 
14. Maria and Chris Naynor tell me they left their home in Reading at 05:30 BST to secure a front-row spot along the Mall to watch today’s procession.
15. By 08:00 BST, the pair, plus their son, three grandsons, and daughter-in-law and members of her family – a total of nine, plus Border Terrier Aela – had set up shop on blankets and folding chairs by the fence lining the street.
16. The family came prepared with Tupperwares of food, cream tea, and gin and tonics.
17. For the family, VE Day is personal. Chris’s dad served in the Armed Forces and was wounded in Dunkirk, and his mother was out celebrating on the streets of London on the original VE Day on 8 May 1945.
18. Their daughter-in-law’s grandfather also served in the military.
19. It’s critical to remember “all the people who gave their lives for freedom” and teach the kids about it, Maria says.
20. Sadly, she adds, with another war on the European continent now, “not a lot has changed”.
21. “People are still being killed.”
22. Theo, 11, Harry, 9, and Charlie, 6, tell me they know exactly why they’re gathered here today.
23. “So that we can remember all the people who died in the war,” Harry says.
26. Gem O’Reilly
27. Reporting from The Mall
28. Like many of the people who are gathered at the Mall right now, I’ve also been here since about 06:00 BST.
29. The atmosphere is one of anticipation at the moment. People have travelled far and wide to experience the start of four days of commemorating VE Day at 80.
30. One woman tells me she’s been here since 02:00 BST and had breakfast delivered to her on the Mall; a young man, who’s come here straight from a night out, says he stayed up all night to be here.
31. The excitement is building and the flags – many of them – are at the ready.
32. Image source, PA Media
33. Image caption,
34. Police and staff for today’s events have been positioned at the Mall since early this morning
37. 
38. Image caption,
39. Susan (left) arrived at the Mall at 06:00 BST to celebrate VE Day, while Mandy (right) is excited to celebrate the 80th anniversary
40. As we just mentioned, it’s not long until events officially kick off in central London and the Mall is continuing to fill with spectators.
41. One woman, Susan, tells BBC Radio 5 Live that she arrived at 06:00 BST to secure her spot.
42. “It makes me really emotional, especially seeing the Ukrainian troops here,” she says. “I even cried seeing that on TV earlier.”
43. “We don’t understand how lucky we are in this country when so many countries don’t have peace.”
44. Mandy, meanwhile, says she decided to head down to the Mall bright and early in order to take in the sights and sounds.
45. “I know you can watch it on the TV but there’s nothing like the atmosphere being here,” she explains.
46. No stranger to celebrating national events, Mandy has even brought her homemade Union Jack hat along, which she says has been worn to every celebration since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.
49. Ashitha Nagesh
50. Reporting from the Mall
51. 
52. Today’s VE Day ceremony isn’t getting under way for a few more hours, but the Mall is already packed with people.
53. Their commitment is going to pay off.
54. Since these spectators fought the urge to hit snooze on their alarms, they have now secured some of the best positions along the procession route for when it passes through here just after midday.
55. A lot of people have also brought portable chairs, which seems like an excellent idea.
56. 
59. Ukrainian troops will be among those taking part in today’s military procession and some of those soldiers caught up with the Today programme before they had to make their way over to the Mall.
60. Capt Hannah describes it as an “honour” to take part in VE Day at 80, while Maj Paul says the anniversary “reminds us how precious peace is and how important it is to protect it”.
61. Both have asked to be identified with just their first names.
62. Paul explains that today we’ll see the Ukrainian representatives take part in a separate formation during the procession. You’ll be able to pick them out of the crowd, he says, as they’ll be the ones carrying a Ukrainian flag.
63. Ukrainian troops – as seen below – have been participating in the overnight rehearsals that have been taking place in the lead up to today’s procession.
64. Image source, Getty Images
65. Image caption,
66. Ukrainian troops rehearse in the early hours of Saturday ahead of today’s military procession

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Image source, Getty Images

Keir Starmer is praising veterans for their “selfless dedication” ahead of VE Day – adding that the stories from those who fought are a reminder that “our victory was not just for Britain”.

“It was also a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil. VE Day is a chance to acknowledge, again, that our debt to those who achieved it can never fully be repaid,” the prime minister says in an open letter to veterans.

“It is not just that you keep us all safe. It is also that you represent the best of who we are. A living link of service that unites the values we must stand for in the present, with the stories we must pass down from our past.”

The PM also recalls a conversation he had with a submariner in Faslane, noting how he spent 200 days a year underwater, a “sacrifice” that led to missing birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.

“From the Carrier Strike Group at sea, to our postings in Estonia, Cyprus and here in the UK, every service man and woman I have met has had a version of this story.”