Celebrity
VE Day 80th anniversary concert: Royal family, including Kate Middleton, Prince William and King Charles, gathers for final celebration | In photos
A week of VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations has come to an end with a star-studded – and royal-studded – concert in London.
Members of the royal family once again gathered overnight for the last in a string of commemorative events marking 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as they attended the show at Horse Guards Parade.
READ MORE: Royals descend on Westminster Abbey for special service
It was a poignant night for the monarch, who addressed the nation 80 years to the hour after his grandfather King George VI announced the “dreadful shadow of war” had passed from “hearths and homes”.
“His words echo down through history as … we unite to celebrate and remember, with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible,” Charles said as he spoke on stage.
“While our greatest debt is owed to all those who paid the ultimate price, we should never forget how the war changed the lives of virtually everyone.”
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The royals were dressed to impressed for the special night out, with Catherine in particular turning heads with her chic all-white ensemble.
The princess wore her Self-Portrait Cream Tailored Bouclé and Chiffon Midi Dress with pearl jewellery, including a five-strand necklace.
Kate finished the look with a black velvet bow in her hair.
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William, meanwhile, wore military medals with his suit.
The Waleses looked like any other couple out and about for date night, with cameras capturing a few sweet moments between them.
However, William’s attention was somewhat divided during the concert, as seated on his other side was none other than UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla wore an embroidered coat while Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, was wrapped in pale pink.
Musical performers during the concert included musical theatre icon Samantha Barks, The Darkness, Calum Scott, Toploader, Fleur East and John Newman.
Scottish actor Brian Cox, whose screen credits include Succession, Braveheart and Troy, also took to the stage, delivering a re-enactment of Winston Churchill’s wartime speech.
King Charles’ address included a touching nod to his late mother.
The monarch spoke of the VE Day celebrations in 1945, which Queen Elizabeth II – who was just 19 at the time – had later described in her diary.
“[She] mingled anonymously in the crowds across central London and, in her own words, ‘walked for miles’ among them,” he said.
“The rejoicing continued into the next day, when she wrote, ‘Out in the crowd again. Embankment, Piccadilly. Rained, so fewer people. Conga-ed into House. Sang till 2am. Bed at 3am!’
William, Kate pen touching personal note as royals gather
The late Queen’s account of that celebratory day inspired the 2015 movie A Royal Night Out, and was recreated in hit Netflix series The Crown.
However, Charles was quick to assure the VE Day 80 concert audience there wouldn’t be a repeat performance.
“I do hope your celebrations tonight are almost as joyful,” he said.
“Although I rather doubt I shall have the energy to sing until 2am, let alone, for that matter, to lead you all in a giant conga from here back to Buckingham Palace!”
Thursday night’s concert followed a series of events in celebration of the VE Day anniversary, attended by the royals.
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On Monday, the royals gathered for a military procession down The Mall and a flypast over Buckingham Palace.
Earlier on Thursday, they descended on Westminster Abbey for a special service.
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