- His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will read an extract
from King George VI’s diary from 8 May 1945
- Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the
Culture Secretary will take part in video calls with Second World
War veterans
- Churchill’s famous victory speech will be broadcast as part
of BBC special programming
- A national moment of remembrance will take place with a two
minute silence as Culture Secretary calls on the public to mark
the occasion at home
- Second World War veterans will receive calls from NHS
Volunteer Responders
The UK Government has announced revised plans to commemorate the
75th anniversary of VE Day which will include an address from Her
Majesty The Queen.
In line with government guidance, the original plans
for VE Day 75, which included a
veteran procession, had to be adjusted due to the ongoing
coronavirus outbreak.
Culture Secretary has announced a new programme
that will allow members of the public to remember and give thanks
to the Second World War generation from the safety of their own
homes.
Culture Secretary said:
We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the greatest generation
that served in combat and on the home front during the Second
World War.
Whilst we now need to celebrate VE 75 in our homes and on our
doorsteps, rather than in parades and street parties, I know
the nation will come together to mark this historic occasion.
In these difficult times, acts of remembrance are even more
poignant and I am sure that millions will want to join me to
remember and give thanks to those who gave so much to secure
peace, freedom and prosperity in Europe.
To mark this historic occasion, Her Majesty The Queen will send a
message to the nation at 9pm on BBC One, the exact moment her
father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will read an extract from
King George VI’s diary from 8 May 1945 which describes the day
including The Royal Family’s iconic Buckingham Palace balcony
appearances.
Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the Culture
Secretary will take part in a series of video calls with Second
World War veterans and those who served on the Home Front. First
Minister of Wales will also host calls with
veterans in Wales. The official commemorations will begin
at 11am with a national moment of remembrance and a two minute
silence.
Other plans for the day include:
- As part of special BBC programming, extracts from Sir Winston
Churchill’s victory speech will recreate the moment peace in
Europe was announced 75 years ago at 3pm and the Prime Minister
will speak about the importance of VE Day.
- The will record
a special reflection and moment of prayer for VE Day.
- Her Majesty The Queen’s 9pm address to the nation will be
followed by a national singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet
Again’. The public will be encouraged to open their doors and
join in with this national moment of celebration.
- The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has
produced a template pack so that
the public can hold a 1940s style afternoon tea party
at home complete with homemade VE Day bunting, original
recipes, games, and educational and creative
activities for children.
- NHS Volunteer Responders will be deployed to give a number of
Second World War veterans a call and provide an opportunity to
share their stories.
- Historian and broadcaster Dan Snow will host history lessons
for children from Monday 4 May. At 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and
Friday, Dan will host a History Hit live on YouTube’s Timeline
channel that will focus on a different aspect of the Second World
War and aim to teach the public about the importance of VE
Day.
- The Government and Ancestry are working together to encourage
the public to join together in commemorating VE Day by
discovering their own connection to the Second World War. As part
of this, all UK historical records available on ancestry.co.uk will be
free for the public from Monday 4 May until Sunday 10 May, giving
people the opportunity to uncover the personal stories of the
Second World War and the roles their families played.
- Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland will broadcast a virtual
Service of Remembrance followed by online tributes from a range
of performers.
- The First Minister of Wales will host a video call to
veterans.
- A number of commemorative events will also take place across
Northern Ireland.
The Royal British Legion’s Assistant Director of Commemorative
Events, Bob Gamble OBE, said:
As we face some of the most challenging times since the Second
World War, now more than ever it is important to unite in
recognition of people’s service to the nation, just as
communities did 75 years ago.
With members of the public unable to attend VE Day 75 events,
we are calling on people across the UK to mark the anniversary
from home and take part in these national moments of
remembrance and thanksgiving. There is no right or wrong way to
take part in the Silence at 11am, some people may wish to stand
at their windows or step outside their front door, but we hope
that individuals and families across the UK will embrace the
opportunity to share in a national moment of reflection.
Russell James, Family History expert at Ancestry®, said:
> VE Day is one of the most significant moments in
British history and Ancestry is proud to be working with the UK
government to help the nation commemorate its 75th anniversary
from their homes. Stories of WWII are something we share not only
within our families, but as a nation, so using this time to learn
about those experiences through historical records and speaking
to our relatives gives us all an opportunity to feel connected –
to our family and to people all over the country.
, Scottish Government
Minister for Veterans said:
The upcoming 75th anniversary of VE Day is a fantastic
opportunity to remember and thank our Second World War
generation for the many personnel sacrifices they made - both
at home and abroad, both in and out of uniform.
If it weren’t for their efforts, we wouldn’t enjoy the many
freedoms which we now take for granted. I look forward to
joining with the rest of the nation on May 8th to pay tribute
to them.
First Minister of Wales said:
We wouldn’t be where we are today without the determination of
our veterans and those who contributed to Britain’s efforts
during the Second World War. As we remember and thank them,
let’s find inspiration in their bravery to guide us through our
own extraordinary moment in history.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The BBC will broadcast two special programmes on BBC One to
mark VE 75 which will be shown at 14:45 – 15:45 and 20:00 -
21:10.
- All events will be pre-recorded. Journalists and the public
are not encouraged to travel to watch events being filmed. The
public are reminded not to travel to watch events and must adhere
to the Government’s social distancing and travel guidance.
Everyone must stay at home, protect the NHS and save
lives.
- You can download DCMS’s commemoration afternoon tea party
guide here and activity pack for children
here.
- You can see and take part in Dan Snow’s
creative challenge for children here.
