Thousands gather in London to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day
Thousands of people have lined roads in central London around the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace as British and allied troops paraded to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
The VE Day commemorations will continue for four days with Britain starting celebrations three days ahead of the actual 8 May date and starting celebrations on the Monday Bank Holiday.
During the event, Big Ben tolled noon and actor Timothy Spall recited the speech that then Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave to roaring crowds in 1945.
The Cenotaph, the national war memorial, was covered with Union Jack flags, the first time that had happened since it was unveiled by King George V in 1920, two years after the end of World War I.
Troops from NATO allies and Ukraine joined 1,300 members of the British armed forces during the marches.
The procession started in Parliament Square and went past Buckingham Palace, where it received a salute from King Charles.
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