The royal siblings stepped out alongside their parents for a special palace event commemorating the end of World War II in Europe
Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital, covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families. Like Queen Elizabeth, she loves horses and a great tiara moment.
The three children of the Prince and Princess of Wales hadn’t been seen in a public capacity together since Christmas Day.
Four-day commemorations marking 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day got underway today
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Buckingham Palace has welcomed veterans to meet the royal family as the UK celebrated the upcoming 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
Thousands of people lined The Mall and the royals assumed their iconic balcony position to watch the Red Arrows flypast over the palace for a day of grand celebrations
Veterans were later invited to meet the family
such as 99-year-old Robert Piper who spoke with King Charles “about my service and the memories I have of the war”
revealed that the King tucked her blanket into her wheelchair to prevent her getting chilly
A 101-year-old veteran, Alfred Littlefield, said he was is “proud” of Prince George for taking such an interest in his age
Mr Littlefield added that he was was “very happy” that George has taken an interest in the past after he met him at Buckingham Palace
The four-day commemorations got underway today as the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children were joined by veterans in leading the nation’s events
Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech was read out by actor Timothy Spall to open proceedings.
A veteran who was cold during the VE Day military procession said the King “tucked” her in.
Joy Trew, who signed up to join the war effort aged 17 and served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, said Charles had leaned down and tucked her blanket into her wheelchair during the parade to prevent her from getting chilly.
“He bent down and tucked me in,” she said.
Of the procession, Ms Trew, who grew up in Bristol but now lives in Wells in Somerset, said: “I said to him (the King) a lot of the women look formidable and he said ‘yes’”.
The 98-year-old said she discussed parenting with Charles and told him she had tried to be a strict mother to her children.
The Prince of Wales spoke of the importance of preserving veterans’ stories as he was joined by his son and former service personnel at a tea party in Buckingham Palace.
William smiled as he shook hands with veterans and said it was “very important” for Prince George and the “next generation” to hear the stories from those who fought in the war.
George listened intently as his father chatted to Alfred Littlefield, 101, who served during D-Day.
William later told veteran Douglas Hyde, who joined the merchant navy aged 18 in 1944, that his son was “very keen” to ask the former serviceman some questions.
The pair joined the party as veterans and senior politicians enjoyed a selection of finger sandwiches, soup and homemade scotch eggs in the Marble Hall.
In an open letter to veterans ahead of VE Day, Sir Keir Starmer thanked for their “selfless dedication”.
The sacrifice made by members of the armed forces is a “debt that can never fully be repaid” but the nation will show how thankful it is during events to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, the Prime Minister wrote.
He said the stories we will hear this week 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,” Sir Keir said.
As the nation falls silent on Thursday, he said his thoughts will turn both to those who served in the Second World War and those who “carry the torch of their legacy” today.
“Alongside our history and our values, service is the other great force that binds a nation together.
“So this week, I want you to know: the whole nation is inspired by the selfless dedication of your example.
“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.”
Sir Keir Starmer has held a VE Day street party at Downing Street.
The PM, joined by his wife Lady Starmer, walked out of No 10 holding a plate of cakes, which he then handed out to some of the guests.
Sir Keir then picked up a commemorative teapot and walked around the tables to serve tea before taking his seat.
The military at St John’s Ambulance workers could be seen sat at tables outside No 10 this afternoon.
Earlier, Sir Keir attended a VE Day reception at Buckingham Palace where he thanked veterans for their service to Britain.
War survivors, refugees and local families have joined together for a VE Day street party in one of Britain’s most bombed neighbourhoods.
The event in the historic Docklands area of east London – one of the locations most heavily hit during the Blitz – was organised by the Bengali Association, local refugee support and other community groups.
The celebration featured 1940s music and dancing, Morse code demonstrations and food ranging from BBQ favourites to VE Day biryani.
Inside nearby St Peter’s Church, visitors explored an exhibition of family connections to the war, including a poster created by local refugee Abdul Shakoor about the British Indian Army.
One of only two airworthy Lancasters left in the world, it was built at the Vickers Armstrong Broughton factory at Hawarden Airfield, Chester, on May 31 1945.
The war against Japan ended before it was deployed and it did not take part in any hostilities, but it remains a symbol of those who died in service of the country.
The Voyager, based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, is a modified civilian passenger aircraft. Capable of carrying up to 291 passengers and cargo all over the world, this Voyager was flown by Flight Lieutenant Jason Alty, Flight Lieutenant Will Ricketts, Flight Lieutenant Andy Theobald and Sergeant Handibode.
The Airbus A400M Atlas military transport aircraft, a contemporary plane, can carry up to 37 tonnes and 116 passengers. It was used heavily when the UK evacuated civilians from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
The C-17 Globemaster is a long-range aircraft which can carry heavy loads and is used in combat as well as humanitarian missions. It has been used to support operations in the UK and overseas including providing support to Ukraine and delivering aid to the Middle East during the crisis in Gaza.
Based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, the Poseidon is a maritime patrol aircraft. It has sensors and weapons for anti-submarine warfare, and can also be used in search and rescue efforts. It can detect, identify and monitor targets above and below the waves.
There were six Typhoons involved in the flypast, flanking other aircraft as they flew over London. Typhoons are based permanently at RAF Coninsby in Lincolnshire and Lossiemouth, where they are ready to respond to potential threats in UK and Nato air space, the Ministry of Defence said.
An electronic surveillance aircraft, Rivet Joint has sensors which can detect emissions from communications, radar and other systems. It has been used as part of Operation Shader, the UK’s contribution in ongoing military intervention in Iraq.
Flying on each wing of the Rivet Joint were F-35B Lightning jets from RAF Marham in Norfolk. The F-35B Lightning is a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft that can operate from aircraft carriers including the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class ships.
The Red Arrows, formally known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, provided the colourful finale to the flypast. Since the Red Arrows’ first season in 1965, they have performed almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries. The Red Arrows are led by Red 1, Squadron Leader Jon Bond.
The former frontline Typhoon pilot, from Essex, joined the RAF in 2006. The 2025 season is his second year as team leader, responsible for choreographing the new display routine, which is seen by millions of people at big events and air shows.
A 101-year-old veteran is “proud” of Prince George for taking such an interest in his age, the veteran’s daughter has said.
Alfred Littlefield said he was “very happy” that George has taken an interest in the past after he met him at Buckingham Palace, his daughter said.
It came after the royal family and thousands of people lining The Mall watched the Red Arrows flypast over Buckingham Palace for celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrives ahead of the military procession
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan arrives ahead of the military procession
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch (left) ahead of the military procession
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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Prince William and Princess Kate's children are continuing with their first public appearance of the year
Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital
covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families
A palace insider previously told PEOPLE that William and Kate view raising George
The seven-year-old royal sat next to Prince William and his siblings Charlotte
News | UK
Prince Louis ensured all eyes were on him with his antics at Buckingham Palace on Bank Holiday Monday
The royal, who turned seven last month, sat next to Prince William, 43, ahead of the military parade and flypast celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of the Victory in Europe Day
and sternly brushing down the shoulder of the future King’s jacket
Louis sat next to his older siblings Charlotte
on the front row of a specially built dias on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside the Palace as thousands of people packed the streets
The youngster also observed a smartly dressed George flicking his hair out of his eyes with his hands and promptly mimicked the gesture
Fans shared their appreciation of the cute moment when a video of it was shared on X, with one writing: “Prince Louis copying his brother Prince George is so funny.”
“God love that child!” another added and a third enthused: “He is the sweetest thing!”
Hundreds of street parties are also being held across the country while a procession of 1,300 Armed Forces members made their way from Parliament Square to the Mall
The royal family also watched a flypast of the Royal Air Force plans from the Palace balcony
before King Charles hosts a tea party for WWII veterans
Armed forces from Nato allies joined the procession in London to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe
as Sir Keir Starmer said this week’s events are a reminder that victory was “not just for Britain”
France and Germany took part in the military procession in London on Monday as part of the events
The words of Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech
There was a display by the Red Arrows as part of a flypast by 23 current and historic military aircraft
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The royal family are said to be hoping the fallout from Harry’s bombshell security interview will not ‘distract’ from the VE Day celebrations.
The events will start the build-up to Thursday
which marks exactly 80 years since the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender
Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George
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play iconThe King, Prince of Wales and Prime Minister arrive for military procession to mark 80 years since VE Day.
Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace today for a significant Second World War commemoration event.
The young royals were part of a larger family gathering that included King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence, and The Duke of Kent were also present for the solemn occasion.
The Prime Minister attended alongside the Royal Family for this important tribute to those who served during the Second World War.
The event brought together multiple generations of royals to honour the wartime generation.
The Royal Family gathered on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside the palace to observe military units processing down The Mall from Whitehall.
They stood alongside veterans from the Royal British Legion as they watched the solemn procession.
The event honoured those who served during the Second World War.
Following the parade, the Royal Family will return to Buckingham Palace before appearing on the balcony to witness a flypast.
Veterans will observe the aerial display from the palace gardens, joined by the Prime Minister and other senior guests.
The flypast will form a central part of the day's commemorations honouring the wartime generation.
Later this afternoon, the King, as Patron of the Royal British Legion, and the Queen will host a tea party for veterans and members of the Second World War generation.
Around 50 veterans and people who lived through the war will attend the special reception.
Guests will include those from British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, WRENs, and Special Operations Executives.
The Marble Corridor of Buckingham Palace will be decorated with bunting made from recycled fabrics from the Royal estates.
Family members and carers will accompany the veterans.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with other senior royals, will join Their Majesties at the reception.
The Prime Minister will also be present to honour those who contributed to the war effort on the home front.
Prince William (right) watched the match alongside his son Prince George (centre) and friend Thomas van Straubenzee (left)
The Prince of Wales was in Paris alongside his son Prince George and childhood friend Thomas van Straubenzee to watch Aston Villa in their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday night
However, despite the diehard Villa fan wearing his "lucky clothes" they lost 3-1 in the Parc des Princes and face a difficult task in the return leg at Villa Park next Tuesday
Prince William said he was "pretty terrified" and "nervous" but predicted a 2-1 victory when he spoke to TNT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand and Ally McCoist on the touchline before the game
He said it was a "big deal" to take George
and the pair were seen punching the air and hugging when Morgan Rogers gave their team a first-half lead
But PSG, who were crowned French champions on Saturday
fought back and scored three unanswered goals to take control of the tie
who was in the crowd for Villa's home win over Bayern Munich and in Monaco in January
was asked if he was on a "lads' tour" by former England international Ferdinand
so I'm on best behaviour," he replied
it's been 43 years since anything like this has happened in my generation as a Villa fan
and I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition
"I hope it's not 43 years until the next one happens
but I think those memories are really important to create and bringing him along tonight is a big deal for me."
Prince William and Prince George were seen wildly celebrating Villa opening the scoring in Paris
Asked if he would like his three children to support Villa
Prince William said: "I'm generally very open to whoever they support
"But also they come to games with Villa
They're going to probably support Villa
so we'll wait and see who they support."
The prince was seen hugging some of Villa's players
including Marco Asensio and England international Marcus Rashford as they came out of the dressing room
He spoke about Villa's tactics and the "intensity" of PSG's press - and how they would put pressure on the Villa defence - and Ferdinand joked: "Do not go for a punditry job
"The way he just dissected that there
I'm going to nick that for later on."
Prince William went through the emotions as Villa faced attack after attack from a dominant Paris St-Germain side
'I wanted emotional roller coaster moments'- Prince William on supporting Aston Villa
The prince started supporting Villa during his school days
Prince William chose a team further afield as he did not want to follow the crowd
"A long time ago at school I got into football big time
All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn't want to follow the run of the mill teams," he told the BBC in 2015
"I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments."
William was born 26 days after Villa's European Cup final win against Bayern Munich on 26 May 1982
He has spoken previously about the joy he gets from following a club with the ups and downs that Villa have experienced
"Aston Villa's always had a great history
I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000
Villa went on to lose to Chelsea (in the final)," he added
I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on
and I was sat with all the Brummie fans and had a great time
the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with."
Prince William's links with football extend beyond Villa as he is also patron of the Football Association
He regularly attends England matches and was at the Euro 2021 and Euro 2024 men's finals
where manager Gareth Southgate's team were beaten by Italy and Spain respectively
Prince William also attended the Lionesses win against Germany in the Women's Euro 2022 final and awarded the players their medals
He has previously enjoyed playing polo - competing on the same team as his father
like Prince Philip - the late Duke of Edinburgh - was also a keen cricketer and hosted the West Indies cricket team in 2024 before a Test match against England at Lord's
Prince Philip also took part in carriage driving and was credited with bringing it to the UK
Queen Camilla is patron of the British Equestrian Federation
while the Princess of Wales is a keen follower of tennis - becoming patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 2016
Princess Anne won the individual title at the European Eventing Championship at Burghley in 1971
She was subsequently voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year and went on to participate in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games
became the first British royal to win an Olympic medal when she was part of the five-strong Great Britain eventing team that won silver behind Germany at London 2012
Why does Prince William support Aston Villa
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By RICHARD EDEN FOR THE DAILY MAIL
Choosing a secondary school can be stressful for any parent
but it’s even more challenging when your son is our future head of state
I hear that Prince George visited Eton College before the boarding school broke up for the Easter holidays to see where he would stay if he goes to his father’s alma mater next year
and of the parents,’ a source close to the Berkshire college tells me
might be expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and attend £63,000-per-year Eton
While Prince William thrived there, his brother, Prince Harry
discovered that it was the wrong choice for him
which he left with a D in A-level geography and a B in art
bypassing university to head straight to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an officer cadet
it could thus only be purgatory for one very unbrilliant boy’
along with approximately 50 other pupils of all ages
which was also the home of the 1st Duke of Wellington
The Prince and Princess of Wales with their children Prince George
There has been speculation that George could follow the example of his mother, the Princess of Wales, and her siblings, Pippa Matthews and James Middleton
the Wiltshire boarding school where annual fees are £59,000
I understand that Eton is the preferred choice. It would be highly convenient as William, Catherine and their three children live mainly at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park
George’s parents have been spotted at a number of potential choices
Catherine was reported to be attracted to Highgate because it has a ‘world-class’ drama department
it would seem an unlikely choice as it is 30 miles from Windsor and commuting across the capital could take an hour each way
George has four terms left at Lambrook School, in the Berkshire countryside, where his sister, Princess Charlotte, aged nine, and Prince Louis, six, are also day pupils.
Eton’s Provost – equivalent of chairman of governors at other schools - is Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the former Conde Nast magazine boss who is a friend of the royals.
He made clear last December that he would not be doing any favours for chums, however high-born.
‘I find myself receiving a torrent of letters and emails from friends of friends, hinting that they hope I can help them secure a place for their sons or grandsons,’ Sir Nicholas wrote in The Spectator magazine. ‘There is a rigorous admissions system here, run with integrity, and it is awkward when the prospective boy hasn’t caught the selector’s eye.’
A Kensington Palace spokesman declines to comment.
Brooke Shields, who turns 60 next month, stunned in a bikini in a recent Instagram post
She made her name wearing little more than a loincloth in 1980s film The Blue Lagoon and Brooke Shields is keen to prove that she still looks good on a beach.
The Hollywood star, who turns 60 next month, has posted photographs online of her wearing a bikini designed by King Charles’s goddaughter India Hicks.
She says her two adult daughters, Rowan and Grier, have given her confidence to wear revealing swimwear. ‘I was wearing those big bathing suits that had as much fabric as possible,’ she says. ‘My daughters were, like, “Mum, it’s ridiculous”. It was sort of seeing myself through their eyes and just celebrating things like my butt.’
Marriage proposals at Ed Sheeran’s concerts have become a trend, but how about this for a wedding venue?
The pop superstar has revealed that the first marriage ceremony has been held at the newly built chapel at his Suffolk estate.
‘My security guard got married in my chapel and that was really lovely,’ says Sheeran, who does not disclose the employee’s name.
The boat-shaped venue, which includes a burial chamber, was completed in 2023. The singer, 34, adds: ‘There are certain intimate moments you just want to spend with your family and not have someone filming you.’
The proposed design for a new A$5 to be formally submitted by the Australian Monarchist League
Monarchists are not taking Australia’s decision to omit King Charles from its A$5 banknotes lying down.
Queen Elizabeth’s portrait was on A$5 notes since 1992 but the Reserve Bank of Australia said last month that a new design would focus on recognising indigenous communities instead.
Now, the Australian Monarchist League has submitted this design, pictured, featuring the King alongside indigenous art work. ‘We can celebrate both the monarchy on our $5 note while also recognising indigenous Australians,’ insists league chairman Philip Benwell.
Self-obsession makes the Duchess of Sussex a terrible interviewer
the distinguished broadcaster tells me: ‘If I’m honest
Speaking at Queen By Candlelight at the London Palladium
Feltz says: ‘Her podcast is supposed to be about women CEOs and entrepreneurs
Meghan speaks a lot about how she met them
but she needs to speak less about herself and stick to the actual topic.’
I ask because a female acquaintance of Paddy McNally
the tycoon who was Fergie’s great love in the early 1980s
McNally would have a chocolate rabbit made in Switzerland and flown to London
‘It would get its own seat because it was so enormous,’ the chum tells Tatler
after McNally’s Easter lunch in Gloucestershire
children would gather round the bunny – and ‘run for cover’ as fireworks shot from its belly
Slightly different from the entertainment at ‘Cocaine Castle’
as a Verbier chalet frequented by McNally’s set was known
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The Prince of Wales has previously spoken about the strong resemblance he and his daughter share
The Princess of Wales; Anwar Hussein/Getty
The Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram
Louis and his siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte appeared Monday to honor veterans of World War II
The Princess of Wales joined the rest of the royal family for a special commemoration on May 5