Today, Friday May 8, marks the beginning of a three-day bank holiday weekend full of commemorative events in the UK to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
VE Day, which stands for Victory in Europe Day, was the day towards the end of World War Two when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end in Europe.
In previous years, VE Day has been celebrated with street parties, community gatherings and services of thanksgiving.
This year, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the UK’s lockdown restrictions, the previously planned celebrations for the 75th anniversary will not be able to go ahead and the day will look slightly different than originally intended.
However, there are still planned events happening to mark the occasion, including a speech from the Queen.
What time is the Queen’s VE Day Speech?
The Queen will make a speech, addressing the nation once again from Windsor Castle, today, Friday 8 May, at 9pm.
Her Majesty’s speech will be broadcast so late into the evening because 9pm is the same time 75 years ago that her father, King George VI, gave a radio address to mark the end of the fighting with Germany in 1945.
In his address to the nation in 1945, King George said: ‘Let us remember those who will not come back, their constancy and courage in battle, their sacrifice and endurance in the face of a merciless enemy.’
The Queen’s five-minute personal address today will be broadcast on ITV at 9pm between episodes of Dad’s Army.
Before the lockdown measures imposed in the UK because of coronavirus, a procession was set to take place down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, and St James’s Park was to be be turned into Victory Park, featuring examples of what life in Britain was like during the Second World War.
There also would have been a service of commemoration at Westminster Abbey and Winston Churchill’s iconic speech announcing the end of the war was set to be broadcast all over the country in public spaces at 3pm.
Watch the Queen’s speech tonight at 9pm on ITV.
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