Royals honour Second World War heroes at VE Day 80 Westminster Abbey service

The King and Queen joined veterans and senior royals at Westminster Abbey to mark 80 years since Victory in Europe Day.

King Charles laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, followed by the Prince of Wales, who honoured Second World War veterans and the generation who lived through it.

The King wore medals and a neck order, while Queen Camilla paid tribute to her father, Major Bruce Shand – a 12th Lancers officer in the war – by wearing his regimental brooch.

• Queen felt VE Day 1945 was 'one of the most memorable nights' of her life
• Why VE Day 80 is far more than just another date in the commemorative calendar
• A splendid occasion: Veterans describe how it felt to celebrate VE Day in 1945

The Prince and Princess of Wales were also in attendance, with Kate wearing earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana.

Before the service began, on the chimes of Big Ben, a national two-minute silence was held at midday.

Then, in his sermon, the Archbishop of York praised those who fought for victory in 1945, but warned: "All this good is under threat again in our world today."

He linked that message to Russia's war in Ukraine, adding: "We pray again for peace in Europe."

An excerpt was read of Winston Churchill's famous victory speech from May 1945, stating that the war in Europe had ended. 

Ten-year-old Alexander Churchill – the great-great-grandson of Britain's wartime prime minister – stepped forward to light a Candle of Peace on the abbey's altar.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer read the lesson during the service.

The Westminster Abbey ceremony concluded four days of VE Day 80 commemorations, which included a military procession through London, an RAF flypast, and a concert at Horse Guards Parade.