Prince William and Princess Kate are set to reunite with King Charles at a key royal event in May. The future King and Queen will join the monarch and Queen Camilla to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Royal expert Jennie Bond says the significance of VE Day for the royal family cannot be understated.
“Assuming Catherine is able to attend, the royal family out in strength will be a powerful tribute to all those who served, and to the many who gave their lives,” Bond said. The upcoming reunion will be “emotional” as King Charles reflects on his father’s wartime service and his mother’s short time in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Bond also stated that the Prince of Wales feels emotionally connected with VE Day, having served in the military himself.
He will appreciate “how fragile the peace that was so hard won now is.”
“It will be one of the most important days in the royal calendar this year,” the royal author concluded. The presence of the royal family at the 80th anniversary of VE Day promises to be a poignant moment, particularly given King Charles’ health concerns. The event serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during wartime and the enduring importance of peace.
Royals gather for VE Day milestone
The ceremony will take place on May 8 at Westminster Abbey, where tribute will be paid to those who fell in World War II. Alongside Charles III and the Princess of Wales, Prince William and Queen Camilla will also be present.
Other members of the royal family such as Prince Edward and Sophie of Edinburgh, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and a group of war veterans with their families will also attend. For the institution, this appearance represents an attempt to regain stability. After a year marked by uncertainty and the health issues of the current monarch and the future queen, the Crown wants to show normalcy.
The commemorations may include a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, a ceremony at the Cenotaph, an RAF flypast over Buckingham Palace, and a military parade. The parade is reportedly going to end at Horse Guards Parade, and there is also talk of a special concert there. During the weekend, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, and St.
Paul’s Cathedral will be lit with V-shaped beams of light. It is thought that King Charles will also make a speech marking the occasion, as Queen Elizabeth II did on the 75th anniversary.