Royal Family joins veterans at VE Day remembrance service and parade

The Royal Family joined more than 1,000 veterans at Westminster Abbey and Horse Guards Parade today to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day.

The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and others all attended a service of thanksgiving to remember those who sacrificed their lives during the Second World War, alongside the Prime Minister David Cameron, other party leaders, and many current and former members of the armed Forces.

In his sermon, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said: "The peace for which we give thanks today - 70 years of the greatest peace in Western Europe since the departure of the Roman legions - remains an ongoing project of reconciliation, not only for us but as a gift to the world, where conflict and extremism destroy hope, devastate prosperity, vanquish aspiration to a better life."

The Queen was present while a wreath was laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Actor Simon Russell Beale read a passage from the VE Day speech by King George VI, before prayers were read by veterans and current servicemen and women.

Sir Winston Churchill's great-great-granddaughter Zoe Churchill read the act of rededication along with VE Day veteran John Wilson.

Following the service, the Queen was introduced to Second World War veterans.

One thousand veterans then joined a parade of bands and current servicemen and women as they made their way from the abbey along Whitehall - past the balcony where Sir Winston Churchill made an historic speech before vast crowds.

At Horse Guards Parade, Charles and Camilla watched a fly-past by the Red Arrows and aircraft that helped Britain and her Allies win the war - the Lancaster bomber and Spitfire and Hurricane fighters.

Trafalgar Square was decked out with bunting and the ensigns of each of the Armed Forces and the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed music from the era opposite Nelson's Column.