LONDON: King Charles III on Thursday joined veterans and other members of the royal family at London鈥檚 Westminster Abbey for a service to mark 80 years since the end of World War II.
Arriving at the abbey, Charles and his eldest son Prince William laid wreaths at the church鈥檚 tomb of the unknown warrior.
The King鈥檚 message on the wreath read simply: 鈥淲e will never forget鈥� and was signed Charles R.
William鈥檚 message, which was signed 鈥淲illiam鈥� and 鈥淐atherine,鈥� added: 鈥淔or those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. We will remember them.鈥�
This year鈥檚 commemorations have had an extra poignancy due to the great age of the dwindling numbers of surviving veterans.
War-time prime minister Winston Churchill鈥檚 10-year-old great-great-grandson Alexander lit a candle of peace during the service, which was preceded by a nationwide two-minute silence.
鈥淚t feels really amazing that I can represent my family and also the younger generation to know and remember everyone involved in World War II,鈥� the younger Churchill said.
Other younger members of the congregation handed out white roses to veterans.
Charles, who is undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer, was also accompanied by Queen Camilla, William鈥檚 wife Princess Catherine, also known as Kate, and other senior members of the royal family.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other politicians and dignitaries also attended.
Eighty years ago on May 8, 1945, central London was thronged with huge crowds celebrating the end of the war.
In a radio address to the nation Churchill announced that the day would be 鈥淰ictory in Europe Day.鈥�
He added: 鈥淲e may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing,鈥� despite the conflict with Japan not yet having ended.
Later that day the crowds even included the late Queen Elizabeth II, then a 19-year-old princess, and her younger sister Margaret, who were allowed to leave Buckingham Palace and join the jubilant crowds incognito.
The Westminster Abbey service featured a rendition of the favorite 1940s song 鈥淭he White Cliffs of Dover,鈥� readings of wartime letters to loved ones, and an excerpt of Churchill鈥檚 1945 victory speech.
Before leaving, Charles and other members of the royal family spent time chatting to veterans and their families, some of whom are now over 100 years of age.
Kate and Camilla then led other royals in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims鈥� Memorial in tribute to all victims of war and oppression.
This year鈥檚 anniversary events will be the last major commemoration for which 鈥渁nyone will still be alive who actually served in the Second World War,鈥� monarchy specialist Robert Hazell of University College London told AFP earlier.
The four-day celebration which began on Monday was set to wrap up later Thursday with a concert at London鈥檚 Horse Guards Parade, with pubs allowed to stay open two hours later than usual.