Buildings bask in red, white and blue light to commemorate VE Day

Buildings bask in red white and blue light to commemorate VE Day Buildings bask in red, white and blue light to commemorate VE Day

From Buckingham Palace to Battersea Power Station, historic landmarks across London basked in red, white and blue on Tuesday night to celebrate 80 years since Britain declared victory over Nazi Germany.

The King and Queen joined senior royals as they watched 23 current and historic military aircraft soar over Buckingham Palace.

Big Ben

AP

And on Tuesday night, 83 monuments and attractions across the four nations and Channel Islands dazzled with British spendor to mark the special occasion.

The displays took place at 9pm and saw the likes of Big Ben, 10 Downing Street and St Paul’s Cathderal mark the occasion.

Other sites in London that shone the colours of the Union flag included the Twickenham Stadium, The Shard and several bridges across the River Thames.

Buckingham Palace

Jordan Pettitt/PA

Buildings across Penrith, Manchester and Blackpool were also flooded with patriotic light.

A service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence of remembrance on Thursday — exactly eight decades since then-prime minister Sir Winston Churchill declared that German forces had surrendered.

Blackpool Tower

Peter Byrne/PA

Pubs and bars in England and Wales, which usually close at 11pm, will be able to keep serving for an extra two hours on Thursday.

Britons have also been urged to unite in streets, gardens and pubs, similar to how the country marked the end of the Second World War.

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Tiana Blake
Tiana Blake is a journalist with an ear for music and an eye for all the fun things unfolding around the world. Whether she’s spotlighting up-and-coming artists, chasing down the quirkiest festivals, or uncovering hidden gems in local street scenes, Tiana’s work turns distant places into vibrant, approachable experiences. She’s known for taking readers beyond the headline acts—think late-night jam sessions in tucked-away bars and art fairs in unexpected neighborhoods. When she’s not on the move, you’ll find her sifting through vinyl collections, chatting with fellow music lovers, or planning her next cultural deep dive. Ultimately, Tiana believes every corner of the globe has a good story waiting to be told—and she’s on a mission to share it.