ROYAL SALUTE
How thousands flocked to palace to cheer on royals and support military – just like grandparents 80 years ago
King Charles, climbed to his feet more than a dozen times to salute during the parade
JUST as their grandparents had done 80 years ago, thousands flocked to Buckingham Palace to cheer the Royal Family on VE Day’s anniversary yesterday.
Crowds lined the streets to support a 1,300-strong military procession before craning necks for a glimpse of VIPs on the Palace balcony.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla gazed enthralled at a 23-plane flypast.
William and Kate were equally impressed by the leading Lancaster bomber, our saviour in World War Two, though their children George, 12, Charlotte, ten, and Louis, seven, were less so.
The youngsters’ interest was stirred by the following fleet of modern fighters and they leaned out for a better view.
The flag-waving crowd below cheered the loudest when the Red Arrows screamed overhead trailing red, white and blue smoke — followed by four Typhoon jets.
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Chelsea Pensioner Malcolm Baillie, 91, said: “I watched Spitfires tackling the German V bombs over Kent as a child, then I was evacuated in 1941 to Cheshire.
"It’s important to teach the young ones here today the significance of 80 years ago.
"It’s a wonderful atmosphere.”
Earlier the royals invited 31 WW2 veterans and eight evacuees to join them in a special stand for the 45-minute military procession.
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Kate smiled with codebreaker and D-Day veteran Bernard Morgan, 101, from Crewe.
He showed her a photo of himself in uniform age 18.
Excited Louis, George & Charlotte join royal VE Day celebrations as they delight huge crowds
PM Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and London Mayor Sadiq Khan also chatted to guests.
After Big Ben struck noon actor Timothy Spall read from Winston Churchill’s victory speech on May 8, 1945, including the line: “We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny.”
City worker Ross Weeks, 23, among those in Parliament Square, said: “I wanted to celebrate all those who fought so valiantly to defeat one of greatest evils the world has ever seen.
"Hearing that speech was fantastic.”
At 12.02pm Cadet Warrant officer Emmy Jones handed the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Torch for Peace to D-Day veteran Alan Kennett, 100.
RAF battlefield engineer Alan, of Lichfield, Staffs, said: “I felt very proud — to think I’m still here.
"I am remembering those that were left behind.”
Garrison Sergeant Major Vern Stokes then asked Alan’s permission for the march to set off from Parliament.
Their route took them past the Cenotaph, draped in Union Flags.
On The Mall, thousands waited five-rows deep on both sides.
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Some scaled fences, bollards and railings for a better view.
At the end of the route, King Charles, who is still having treatment for cancer, climbed to his feet more than a dozen times to salute as each section marched past.
Along the route people cheered 11 Ukrainian soldiers taking part.
Elliott Thompson, on the Mall, said: “It’s vital we keep showing support and it was quite emotional to hear the applause.”
Ukrainian fighter Major Pavlo, 30, said: “We could never have imagined we would be marching and saluting the King.”
Dog handler L-Cpl Daniel Flood said: “I’m proud to be involved and remember the veterans who came before us.
'REAL HEROES'
"My dad was in the Army, my brothers are both serving.
"VE Day is a massive part of European history and British military history.”
Lucy Ivy, nine, who was with her mum Anna, 47, from Muswell Hill, North London, said: “I love the Royal Family and history.
"VE day is important. These people were the real heroes.
"My great-gran was a nurse in the women’s air force. I’m thinking of her.”
Barbara Bunce, 101, worked with the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and the Special Operations Executive in the war and flew in from Atlanta, US, to watch the procession.
She said: “I’m so proud of everyone. This is just a dream.”
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Her daughter Elizabeth Clausen, 68, said: “I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as my parents.
"Their generation got us freedom.”
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