Marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, King Charles echoed the solemn words of his grandfather, King George VI, to urge a renewed commitment to peace. Speaking at 9pm—the same time George VI addressed the nation in 1945—Charles said the “blood of our dearest must not have flowed in vain,” and called on nations to pursue peace, justice and unity.
Quoting Winston Churchill, he added, “Meeting jaw to jaw is better than war,” and said the world must rededicate itself to diplomacy and conflict prevention. “We must ensure the victory for which so many gave their lives leads to lasting peace, founded on justice and good will,” he said.
The King, a vocal supporter of Ukraine amid Russian aggression, emphasised international unity, recalling how the Allied triumph was achieved through “collective endeavour” against tyranny.
A national service of thanksgiving was held at Westminster Abbey, attended by war veterans, the royal family, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch. A two-minute silence was observed before Churchill’s wartime broadcast echoed through the abbey. His great-great-grandson, ten-year-old Alexander Churchill, lit the candle of peace.
Poignant symbols of wartime life were placed on the high altar—among them, a child’s gas mask and an air-raid warden’s helmet. Letters from the front lines and home front were read aloud, capturing moments of hope and loss. The congregation pledged once more: to remember the cost of war, and to work for peace and reconciliation.
