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Duke of Edinburgh Returns to St Andrew’s Youth Club

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Royal Life Magazine
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The Duke of Edinburgh returns to St Andrew’s Youth Club as part of Patronage with charity London Youth. Credit: London Youth / Marc Sethi
The Duke of Edinburgh returns to St Andrew’s Youth Club as part of Patronage with charity London Youth. Credit: London Youth / Marc Sethi

The Duke of Edinburgh returns to St Andrew’s Youth Club as part of Patronage with charity London Youth 

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited St Andrew’s Youth Club in Westminster as part of his Patronage of charity London Youth. The Duke took over the Patronage in 2020 from his father, who held it for 74 years. Over the last five years, His Royal Highness has visited several youth organisations within London Youth’s 600-strong membership as well as Woodrow High House, one of the charity’s two outdoor residential centres. His Royal Highness’ visit to St Andrew’s on May 12th was a return visit. The Duke visited the world’s oldest youth club in late 2022, in honour of the club’s 156th birthday. This most recent visit – falling during Mental Health Awareness week and shortly after the five-year anniversary of the first lockdown – presented an opportunity to meet new faces at St Andrew’s, and catch up with the expert team that run the historic youth centre.  

In 2023, the NHS England Digital found that 20.3% of 8-16 year olds, 23.3% of 17-19 year olds, and 21.7% of 20-25 year olds had a probable mental disorder. Over 80% of London Youth’s 600 member organisations surveyed last year provide services and activities around mental health and wellbeing. 

St Andrew’s is just one of London Youth’s member clubs where children and young people increasingly face mental health challenges such as low moods and anxiety. To address this need, the team at St Andrew’s welcomed a new addition: a dedicated mental health worker via mental health charity Mind. They join the club once a week to lead group workshops and one-on-one sessions, equipping young people with tools to support their mental health and wellbeing. 

During the visit, The Duke of Edinburgh joined in with the club’s scheduled activities: he picked up a controller for a quick game of PlayStation, got stuck into baking in the kitchen as part of the daily ‘Bake and Share’, and sat down for some mindful colouring and essential oil mixing. Throughout, he was introduced to young people who were delighted to explain why they love coming to St Andrew’s week after week. 

The Duke was then taken on a tour of the club, taking in improvements and additions made since his last visit that meet the evolving needs of young people. An example was the sensory room, added in November last year. The room is complete with a light table, projector, bubble machine and lots of sensory equipment, and tailored to the estimated 10% of young people at St Andrew’s with special educational needs or disabilities who might find aspects of the club overwhelming and require a calm space.  

After observing a game of under-9s football and meeting the young players, His Royal Highness proceeded to the club’s ‘theatre’: a dedicated studio space for dance, performance and music. Here, he met some of London Youth’s supporters, old and new. The group, which included entrepreneurs in the tech, PR and beauty spheres, as well as senior leaders of London-based businesses, spent some time conversing with The Duke, sharing their motivations for supporting the charity. The room then heard from Pauline Daniyan, CEO of London Youth, who provided some of the wider context within which the charity’s membership, comprising around 600 community youth organisations supporting over 700,000 young people in the capital, is operating.  

The Duke of Edinburgh returns to St Andrew’s Youth Club as part of Patronage with charity London Youth. Credit: London Youth / Marc Sethi
The Duke of Edinburgh returns to St Andrew’s Youth Club as part of Patronage with charity London Youth. Credit: London Youth / Marc Sethi

Pauline Daniyan, Chief Executive of London Youth said: “It’s always an honour to be able to showcase the work of our membership to our Patron and to our valued supporters. We’re delighted and grateful that HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was able to return to St Andrew’s and celebrate the continued, life-saving work of its team. We’ll never tire of saying that young people matter, and that youth work is essential. For young people, having access to a safe space where they can be themselves can be life changing. It’s vital we recognise how youth workers and organisations support young Londoners’ mental health and wellbeing, offering them a place to be heard, understood and supported.”  

Sarah Nicholls, CEO of St Andrew’s Youth Club said: “We are delighted that HRH The Duke of Edinburgh chose to visit St Andrew’s Club for a second time, in his role as Patron to London Youth. The Duke’s visit and the amazing work of London Youth help to highlight the crucial role that youth clubs and youth workers play in helping young people to access the opportunities and skills they need to thrive in the future. For our young members and youth workers the opportunity to meet His Royal Highness is a huge honour and will have created memories that I have no doubt will last for a long time to come.” 

RHS Announces ‘Catherine’s Rose’ to Celebrate The Princess of Wales’ work

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Royal Life Magazine
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‘Catherine’s Rose’, a stunning floribunda, has subtle coral-pink blooms, which are produced in abundance, and have a rich perfume with hints of Turkish Delight and mango. Credit: Harkness Roses
‘Catherine’s Rose’, a stunning floribunda, has subtle coral-pink blooms, which are produced in abundance, and have a rich perfume with hints of Turkish Delight and mango. Credit: Harkness Roses

The RHS announces ‘Catherine’s Rose’ to celebrate The Princess of Wales’ work to highlight healing power of nature

9th May 2025

The RHS has named a rose, bred by Harkness Roses, for Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, to celebrate the incredible healing power of nature and raise awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

‘Catherine’s Rose’, a stunning floribunda, has subtle coral-pink blooms, which are produced in abundance, and have a rich perfume with hints of Turkish Delight and mango.  With flowers that attract pollinators, Catherine’s Rose will thrive in a mixed border, as a hedge, in a large container or in a rose bed.

Funds from the sale of Catherine’s Rose will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, to help The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust establish a unique training programme for clinical teams across the country. This specialist prehabilitation and rehabilitation programme will help to ensure patients who need intensive support live well with, and beyond, cancer. 

Clare Matterson, RHS Director General, said: “As well as supporting the incredible work of The Royal Marsden, Catherine’s Rose will raise awareness of how nature and gardening can help to heal.  We know how important this message is as every day we see how accessing nature and being outside is vital for our health and happiness.

“Crucially too, Harkness Roses has done a wonderful job breeding this spectacular rose that is going to bring so much joy to all our nation’s gardeners and keep our precious pollinators buzzing too!  It’s a really special rose.”

Philip Harkness, Managing Director, Harkness Roses, said: “We’re delighted the RHS is naming this stunning floribunda rose for The Princess of Wales, celebrating wellness and nature.  It is a privilege for Harkness Roses to work with The Royal Marsden where donations of this beautiful rose will help raise funds for this vital charity.”

Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As a specialist cancer centre, The Royal Marsden’s mission is to ensure every patient has the care and support they need to achieve the best outcome and patient experience.

“Every rose sold will help The Royal Marsden establish a unique training programme for clinical teams across the country in prehabilitation and rehabilitation techniques which make such a difference to patient care.

“We are honoured to have Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales as Joint Patrons of our specialist cancer centre and we are very grateful to The Princess and the Royal Horticultural Society for setting up this initiative and for the benefit it will bring to cancer patients everywhere.”

The Roses will be available to purchase from Friday 9 May, via roses.co.uk and rhsplants.co.uk.  Catherine’s Rose will be available by pre-order only and Roses will be delivered in Autumn 2025 as bare root plants.  For every plant sold £5 will be donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

There will be 15,000 Catherine’s Rose available in 2025.  The bare root rose will be £29.99 and potted plant £34.99.  Further Catherine’s Roses will be available in Spring and Autumn 2026.

The Duke of Edinburgh to Host Gold Award Celebrations

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Royal Life Magazine
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The Earl of Wessex hosts a Gold Award Celebration in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, for Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award holders from across Scotland. July 1, 2022.
The Earl of Wessex hosts a Gold Award Celebration in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, for Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award holders from across Scotland. July 1, 2022.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL HOST GOLD AWARD CELEBRATIONS FOR THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Friday 9th and Monday 12th May 2025

The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will host over 8,000 young people from across the country in the Buckingham Palace garden for Gold Award celebrations, to mark their achievements.

In His Royal Highness’s role as Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), the Duke of Edinburgh will host four celebratory events for young people across two days, on Friday 9th May and Monday 12th May 2025.

The special events will see the Buckingham Palace garden transformed into a festival-style celebration with bunting, lawn games and activities, and guests will hear from inspirational public figures, including celebrity DofE Award holders and ambassadors.

At each event, guests will gather in front of the West Terrace Steps for speeches from the Duke of Edinburgh, a young DofE Gold Award achiever, and a celebrity speaker, offering insights from their own life and career.

The King and The Princess Royal to Attend Presentation of New Standards

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Royal Life Magazine
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Trooping the Colour for King Charles III's official birthday. For the first time in more than thirty years, the regiments taking part will include all five regiments of the Foot Guards. Also on parade will be the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment made up of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals who together will provide the Sovereign's Escort; and The King's Troop Royal Horse. 17th June, 2023.
Trooping the Colour for King Charles III's official birthday. For the first time in more than thirty years, the regiments taking part will include all five regiments of the Foot Guards. Also on parade will be the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment made up of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals who together will provide the Sovereign's Escort; and The King's Troop Royal Horse. 17th June, 2023.

THE KING, COLONEL IN CHIEF, THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY, AND THE PRINCESS ROYAL, COLONEL, THE BLUES AND ROYALS, WILL ATTEND THE PRESENTATION OF NEW STANDARDS AT WINDSOR CASTLE

Monday 12th May 2025

His Majesty The King, Colonel in Chief, The Household Cavalry, and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Colonel The Blues and Royals, will attend the presentation of new standards to The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals.

The standards symbolise the cavalry squadrons’ history, achievements and identity and are held in the highest reverence.

His Majesty will be received on the dais in the Quadrangle with a royal salute and the National Anthem will be played. The King, together with the Princess Royal, Colonel The Blues and Royals and Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Colonel, The Life Guards, will then inspect the parade.

The Duchess of Edinburgh Visits Student Gardening and Community Spirit

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HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children's Flower Society, visits Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, to see the gardens the students have created and maintain in the College Grounds. Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, London, UK. 7th May 2025. Credit: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children's Flower Society, visits Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, to see the gardens the students have created and maintain in the College Grounds. Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, London, UK. 7th May 2025. Credit: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh visits Student Gardening and Community Spirit at Newman Catholic College

BRENT, North West London

Wednesday, 7th May 2025

Newman Catholic College in Harlesden, South Brent, today welcomed Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh. This visit was arranged through the London Children’s Flower Society, of which Her Royal Highness is a patron. The visit gave Newman Catholic College an opportunity to celebrate the school’s gardening projects, our community work including our foodbank and community garden, and to discuss the work of our school.

Arriving at 11:00 am, Her Royal Highness was warmly received by Mei Sim Lai OBE DL, Representative Deputy Lieutenant of Brent, alongside key figures from the Brent local authority, school governors, and the London Children’s Flower Society. These included Cllr. Tariq Dar MBE, Mayor of Brent; Ms Shirley Parks, Director of Education Partnerships and Strategy, Brent Local Authority; Councillor Dr Ketan Sheth, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, Brent Council; Mrs Serena Balfour, Foundation Governor and Chair of the Curriculum Committee and the US Charitable Trust; Ms Emma Jane McGrath of the London Children’s Flower Society; and Mr Andrew Dunne, Headteacher of Newman Catholic College.

The Duchess’s visit commenced with a tour of the school’s entrance gardens, led by Mr John Roche, Chaplain, and Ms Joanne Englishby, Care Lead for Looked After and Disadvantaged Students. Her Royal Highness had the opportunity to view the memorial garden and front lawn, and was introduced to students actively involved in the school’s Sixth Form Enrichment Gardening Club.

A special moment followed as The Duchess planted commemorative ‘Duchess of Edinburgh Chrysanthemum’ flowers and potted ‘Duchess of Edinburgh Clematis’, symbolising her continued support for the London Children’s Flower Society and for Newman Catholic College.

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children's Flower Society, visits Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, to see the gardens the students have created and maintain in the College Grounds. Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, London, UK. 7th May 2025. Credit: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children’s Flower Society, visits Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, to see the gardens the students have created and maintain in the College Grounds. Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, London, UK. 7th May 2025. Credit: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto

The visit then continued to the NCC Foodbank, established in partnership with Caritas, a Catholic charity, during the Covid-19 lockdown. Led by Ms Sue Grace, Assistant Headteacher, Her Royal Highness met with dedicated student and staff volunteers, learning about their vital work in supporting the local community. H.R.H. accepted a donation of school-made strawberry jam, which had been made by the foodbank volunteers.

The Duchess then visited the school’s thriving Community Garden, where she met the project leads, Dr Tony Burch and Ms Katie Pascoe, and heard about the collaborative efforts involved in its maintenance and development. The community garden shares its produce with the NCC and Sufra foodbanks, and is run by local NW10 volunteers.

In the main school site, Her Royal Highness and Ms Sue Murphy, Deputy Headteacher, then introduced the chairs of the NCC Student Council and our Head Boy and Head Girl, and Ms Priya Patel (Link Worker with the AllChild charity, based at NCC). The Duchess also had the pleasure of meeting Apollo, the school’s therapy dog. A bouquet of flowers was presented to The Duchess, from Nilly’s Flowers, a local Harlesden community flower shop.

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children's Flower Society, visits Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, to see the gardens the students have created and maintain in the College Grounds. Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, London, UK. 7th May 2025. Credit: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children’s Flower Society, visits Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, to see the gardens the students have created and maintain in the College Grounds. Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, London, UK. 7th May 2025. Credit: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto

The visit concluded with a reception in the entrance gardens, where refreshments were served. Mr Dunne presented Her Royal Highness with special gifts from the school: a limited edition badge commemorating the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope, designed by the Head of Art, Ms Sachelle Linton, and a portrait of St John Henry Newman, the school’s patron, by Year 10 student Osman Mohammed.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh departed from Newman Catholic College at midday. We were grateful for the time she spent speaking to staff and students, and supporting our local Brent community endeavours.

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children's Flower Society, visits Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, to see the gardens the students have created and maintain in the College Grounds. Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, London, UK. 7th May 2025. Credit: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the Children’s Flower Society, visits Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, to see the gardens the students have created and maintain in the College Grounds. Newman Catholic College, Harlesden, London, UK. 7th May 2025. Credit: Amanda Rose/@amandarosephoto

The Royal Yacht Britannia’s New Exhibition and Retail Experience

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11-foot LEGO Britannia model with its very own Lego Yachtsmen. Credit: The Royal Yacht Britannia
11-foot LEGO Britannia model with its very own Lego Yachtsmen. Credit: The Royal Yacht Britannia

OPENING THIS WEEK – The Royal Yacht Britannia’s new Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors in Edinburgh 

2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.

Situated on the second floor of Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh’s Port of Leith, the newly developed visitor experience has been designed to enhance the sense of arrival for around 350,000 annual visitors to Queen Elizabeth II’s former Royal Yacht.

Two years in development, the visitor centre and retail experience proudly incorporate the latest in advanced technology with hand-crafted furniture and fittings made by British manufacturers, including traditional Leith-based sign-writer Thomas Paints.

Designed by 442 Design, with collaboration from the Royal Collection Trust, author/historian Richard Johnstone-Bryden, and former Royal Yachtsmen, the highly engaging exhibition tells the story of Britannia’s launch from John Brown & Company Shipyard in Clydebank in 1953, to the ship’s new life as a five-star visitor attraction in Leith, voted Tripadvisor’s No.1 Attraction 2023-2024. 

Conall Burns unwraps The No.1 Dress Uniform of Rear Admiral Sir Robert Woodard KCVO DL, Britannia’s last Admiral, for display. Credit Tony Marsh / The Royal Yacht Britannia
Conall Burns unwraps The No.1 Dress Uniform of Rear Admiral Sir Robert Woodard KCVO DL, Britannia’s last Admiral, for display. Credit Tony Marsh / The Royal Yacht Britannia

Highlights of the new exhibition include:

  • The No.1 uniform of Prince Philip, previously gifted to The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust by Queen Elizabeth II
  • The original ornate Binnacle (compass) embellished with gold leaf
  • A cascade of historical photographs storytelling life on board the Royal Yacht
  • Plus, an attention-grabbing 11-foot LEGO Britannia model with its very own Lego Yachtsmen

Benefitting from the ongoing redevelopment of Ocean Terminal, Britannia’s new retail experience is 338 square metres, considerably larger than the last. In response, several new and exciting product lines have been created by Director of Retail, Kerry Burns and her team, including a range of fine bone china called the ‘Admiral’s Collection’, inspired by the gold rings insignia worn on the cuffs by Admirals in the Royal Navy. Plus, a new limited-edition whisky – 301 bottles of a 16-year-old Glen Moray single cask commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s final disembarkation at 3.01pm on 11 December 1997.

The new retail experience also boasts a new addition to the Britannia family – a giant 5-foot-high cuddly corgi! Yet to be named, the enormous Instagrammable plush was manufactured in the UK and will be a fuzzy focal point of the new shop for visitors to enjoy.

Chief Executive Franck Bruyère said: “This is a momentous event for The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust and I’m incredibly proud of the enormous collaborative effort behind the project and the Britannia team who have been integral in ensuring our new space is world-class and enhances our existing five-star visitor experience. An additional bonus for us is this month marks the anniversary of Britannia arriving in Leith to start her new life as a visitor attraction 27 years ago in 1998.”

11-foot LEGO Britannia model with its very own Lego Yachtsmen. Credit: The Royal Yacht Britannia
11-foot LEGO Britannia model with its very own Lego Yachtsmen. Credit: The Royal Yacht Britannia

Mr Bruyere added: “It has been a pleasure working closely with the Royal Collection Trust to source never-before-seen images of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip relaxing and enjoying life at sea on board this iconic ship.”

Director of Visitor Experience, Robert Gill, who led the project on behalf of the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust commented: “Through this new exhibition we can amplify the history and heritage of this iconic vessel and spark imaginations before our visitors step on board the Yacht itself. Exhibition designers, 442 Design, have told Britannia’s story so magnificently, and specialist interior fit-out company, Hugh Stirling Ltd, have brought our vision to life. We are so proud of the final result.”

Spring also brings a new delivery to The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s fleet of vintage cars; The British Motor Museum have loaned the original 1966 Land Rover used by Queen Elizabeth II for rural transport and Royal pursuits. Used by the Royal Family for 17 years, the classic green station wagon is on display alongside the Rolls-Royce in recognition of the vehicles Britannia used to carry on board when in Royal Service.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is easily accessible from the Ocean Terminal tram stop, which offers a direct and quick transport link between Leith, Edinburgh city centre and Edinburgh Airport. 

Open 7 days a week, 9:30-18:00, with last admission at 16:00.

To book tickets, please visit www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk. Group bookings also available.

GARDEN PARTIES 2025

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King Charles III with Lionel Richie and Lisa Parigi during a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London, in celebration of the coronation. May 3, 2023.
King Charles III with Lionel Richie and Lisa Parigi during a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, London, in celebration of the coronation. May 3, 2023.

GARDEN PARTIES 2025

This summer, two garden parties will take place in the Buckingham Palace garden, as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The dates for The King’s Garden Parties in 2025 are as follows:

• Buckingham Palace – Wednesday 7th May

• Buckingham Palace – Tuesday 20th May

• Palace of Holyroodhouse – Tuesday 1st July

In addition, there will be two themed garden parties:

The Education and Skills Garden Party – Wednesday 14th May

His Majesty The King has given permission for a garden party to be hosted at Buckingham Palace, supported by the Department for Education, to recognise and celebrate those working in education across the United Kingdom. The garden party will bring together approximately 7,000 representatives across educational fields.

The Not Forgotten Association Garden Party – Friday 16th May

His Majesty The King has given permission for The Not Forgotten Association Annual Garden Party to be held at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester.

The Not Forgotten Association is a tri-service charity, of which Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is patron. The charity provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for ex-service men and women and serving personnel who are wounded, injured or sick. The garden party will bring together 2,000 beneficiaries of all ages and from across the UK and all military services.

The Duchess of Gloucester has attended several previous events with The Not Forgotten Association, enjoying spending time talking to veterans and hearing about their experiences.

The King to Lead Nation in Tribute to the Greatest Generation

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Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill, center, joins the Royal Family, from left, Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, England, on VE-Day on May 8, 1945.
Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill, center, joins the Royal Family, from left, Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, and Princess Margaret, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, England, on VE-Day on May 8, 1945.

THE KING TO LEAD NATION IN TRIBUTE TO THE GREATEST GENERATION

3rd May 2025

• His Majesty The King will join Second World War veterans in London on Monday for a military procession and fly past to mark VE-Day 80

• Hollywood actor Timothy Spall will read Churchill speech

• Iconic buildings across the country will light up from Tuesday evening in tribute

• National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on Thursday

Four days of national commemorations to the Second World War generation kick off in London on Monday with a recital of iconic Winston Churchill speeches by Hollywood actor Timothy Spall.

Timothy Spall will start the events by reading extracts from Churchill’s iconic VE-Day victory speech in 1945. Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will formally start the procession after being handed the Commonwealth War Graves’ Torch For Peace by Air Cadet Warrant Officer Emmy Jones.

The procession, featuring more than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces and youth groups will march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace where Their Majesties The King and Queen, as well as members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and a number of Second World War veterans will be on a specially built platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial.

A flypast, which members of the Royal Family will watch from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, will conclude Monday’s public events.

From 9pm on Tuesday evening, hundreds of buildings across the country will be lit up to mark VE-Day 80.

Buildings include Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf’s 1 Canada Square, the Shard, Lowther Castle, Rochester Cathedral, Manchester Printworks, Cardiff Castle, Senedd, Perth Bridge, City Chambers and Belfast City Hall.

On Thursday, a service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence, which is expected to be replicated across the nation.

Across the four days, official events and services will be taking place across the UK to mark 80 years of the end of the Second World War in Europe including events in the devolved nations, including:

Monday 5 May:

To ensure the commemorations act as a point of remembrance of the millions who lost their lives in the conflict as well as a celebration of peace, the commemorations will begin in Whitehall. The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union Flags for the duration of the four-day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. From Monday 5 May, it will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.

The VE-Day 80 commemorations will continue with a street party on HMS Belfast. HMS Belfast fired some of the opening shots on D-Day in 1944 and protected Arctic convoys during the Second World War and is the most significant surviving Second World War warship.

Street parties, barbecues and community get togethers, supported by ideas and inspiration from The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch, will be held by communities across the country, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.

Tuesday 6 May:

An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary. Nearly 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display at the Tower, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War, will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress. This poppies installation will resemble a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz and still bears some of those scars today. It will mark and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.

Scotland Salutes VE80 concert will take place at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.

Wednesday 7 May:

On the evening of 7 May 1945, a newsflash announced that the following day would be Victory in Europe Day. To commemorate this important moment in the nation’s history, the Parliament Choir will host a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in the famous Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster.

At a special VE-Day event at IWM North, jointly produced by IWM and the National Theatre, some of the letters that the public submit will become part of a performance along with high profile public figures sharing letters from the IWM collection and excerpts from ‘The Next Morning’.

A national service of remembrance will be held at Llandaff Cathedral.

Thursday 8 May:

A service will take place at Westminster Abbey that will be both an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war. It will be a moment to give thanks and to honour a generation that showed extraordinary courage and resilience.

The events will conclude with a concert on Horse Guards Parade to finish the VE-Day 80 commemorations in a celebratory tone, echoing how the nation reacted to the news 80 years before.

With more than 10,000 members of the public in attendance, the concert will feature stars of stage and screen including John Newman and Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock as well as military musicians and tell the story of victory and the legacy of the Second World War in Europe.

Services of remembrance and community celebrations will take place across Northern Ireland throughout the week. The government has launched Tip Top Towns, a programme to encourage communities across the country – whether towns, villages or cities – to get together with their communities ahead of 5 May when the nation will come together for street parties to celebrate VE-Day. Members of the public are encouraged to get in the VE-Day spirit by making their own decorations, planting flowers, encouraging children to draw pictures for their windows or hosting arts and craft sessions.

Full list of buildings being lit up:

London:
Houses of Parliament
Elizabeth Tower
Buckingham Palace
10 Downing Street
Battersea Power Station
Tower 42 (Natwest Building
Millenium Bridge
The Shard
Tower of London
St Paul’s Cathedral
London Eye
Canary Wharf 1 Canada Square
National Theatre
British Film Institute
The Cenotaph
HMS Belfast
IWM London
BFI IMAX
BFI Southbank
London Bridge
Cannon Street Railway Bridge
Southwark Bridge
Waterloo Bridge
Golden Jubilee Footbridges
Westminster Bridge
Lambeth Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge
102 Petty France
The National Archives
120 Fenchurch Street
Twickenham/Aviva Stadium

North West England:
IWM North, Salford
Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building, Liverpool
Manchester Printworks, Manchester
The Royal Exchange, Manchester
Lowther Castle, Cumbria
Blackpool seafront & tower, Blackpool
Rivington Pike, Chorley
Chorley Town hall, Chorley

North East England:
Durham Cathedral, Durham
Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle
Glasshouse International Centre, Newcastle
Municipal Buildings, Middlesborough
Town Hall, Middlesborough
Town Hall Clock Tower, Middlesborough
Central Library, Middlesborough
Bottle of Notes, Middlesborough
St Hilda’s Bell structure, Middlesborough
Zetland Car Park, Middlesborough
The Issac Wilson pub, Middlesborough
Dorman Museum, Middlesborough

South East England:
The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmout
Rochester Cathedral, Rochester
Runnymede Air Force Memorial, Surrey
Brighton Royal Pavillion, Brighton

South West England:
County Hall, Dorset
Aerospace Bristol, Bristol
The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare

East England:
St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Suffolk

West Midlands:
Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham
Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire
Kings Heath (trees), Birmingham
National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

East Midlands:
Derwent Dam, Peak District

Scotland:
The Kelpies, Falkirk
The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk
Perth Bridge, Perth
Hamilton House, Lanarkshire
City Chambers, Edinburgh
St Paul’s Church, Perth

Northern Ireland:
Belfast City Hall, Belfast
Titanic Museum, Belfast
Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen
Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
Parliament Buildings

Wales:
Welsh Government Building in Cathays Park, Cardiff
Welsh Parliament ( Senedd Cymru) in Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
Castell Coch, Cardiff
Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon

Channel Islands:
Castle Cornet, Guernsey
Fort Grey, Guernsey
Beau Sejour Leisure, Guernsey

UNIFORM DETAILS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY ATTENDING THE MILITARY PROCESSION COMMEMORATING VE-DAY

5th May 2025

The King is wearing Naval Uniform No.1 dress, with no medals or decorations, as His Majesty’s grandfather King George VI wore on the Buckingham Palace Balcony on VE-Day 1945.

The Prince of Wales is wearing RAF No.1 Uniform.

The Duke of Edinburgh is wearing Army No.2 Service Dress of the Scots Guards.

The Princess Royal is wearing the uniform of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal’s Volunteer Corps) with no decorations. The late Queen, as Princess Elizabeth, wore the military uniform for the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance on VE-Day 1945 as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Services.

The Duke of Kent is wearing Field Marshal No.2 Service Dress.

The King and Queen will Undertake a Royal Visit to Canada

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Royal Life Magazine
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The King and Queen during the coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023

The King and Queen will undertake a Royal Visit to Canada

2nd May 2025

The King and Queen will visit Canada from Monday 26th to Tuesday 27th May.

Their Majesties will attend The State Opening of the Parliament of Canada, in Ottawa.

Le Roi et la Reine effectueront une visite au Canada le lundi 26 et le mardi 27 mai. 

Le Roi et la Reine assisteront à la cérémonie d’ouverture du Parlement du Canada, à Ottawa.

King Hosts Reception for Victoria Cross and George Cross Association

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Royal Life Magazine
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Prince William, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a D-Day national commemoration event in Portsmouth, England, June 5, 2024.
Prince William, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a D-Day national commemoration event in Portsmouth, England, June 5, 2024.

THE KING AND QUEEN, ACCOMPANIED BY THE PRINCE OF WALES, WILL HOST A RECEPTION FOR THE VICTORIA CROSS AND GEORGE CROSS ASSOCIATION

Thursday 1st May 2025

The King, Patron, The VC and GC Association, accompanied by the Queen and the Prince of Wales, President, will host a reception at Windsor Castle for members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.

Their Majesties and His Royal Highness will join holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, for a formal group photograph in St George’s Hall, before spending time with the VC & GC holders, and members of their families, as well as representatives of posthumously awarded recipients, in the Grand Reception Room.

Founded in 1956, the VC & GC Association represents all living holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross. The association aims to provide support to the living holders and their families, restore – and in some cases, create – graves and memorials associated with VC & GC holders, and educate the public on the two awards.

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