King Charles echoes grandfather King George VI in historic speech to mark VE Day
King Charles echoed the words of his grandfather to mark VE Day as he made a historic speech to mark 80 years since the end of World War II.
King Charles echoed the words of his grandfather to mark VE Day.
The 76-year-old monarch addressed the nation on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe - which marked the end of World War II in Europe after almost six years - on Thursday (08.05.25) and referred to former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill in his speech but also reflected on the feelings of King George VI when he spoke at the end of the conflict in 1945.
Speaking at the Horse Guards Parade in London, he said: "We should remind ourselves of the words of our great wartime leader, Sir Winston Churchill, who said 'meeting jaw to jaw is better than war'.
"In so doing, we should also rededicate ourselves not only to the cause of freedom but to renewing global commitments to restoring a just peace where there is war, to diplomacy, and to the prevention of conflict.
"For as my grandfather put it, 'We shall have failed, and the blood of our dearest will have flowed in vain, if the victory which they died to win does not lead to a lasting peace, founded on justice and established in good will'"
Charles urged the country to remember those "who paid the ultimate price" and sacrificed themselves during the war as he reminded others just what can be "achieved" when the nations unite, as he gave a nod to the current conflicts in the world.
"Just as those exceptional men and women fulfilled their duty to each other, to humankind, and to God, bound by an unshakeable commitment to nation and service, in turn it falls to us to protect and continue their precious legacy - so that one day hence generations yet unborn may say of us: 'they too bequeathed a better world'
"The Allied victory being celebrated then, as now, was a result of unity between nations, races, religions and ideologies, fighting back against an existential threat to humanity.
"Their collective endeavour remains a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when countries stand together in the face of tyranny.
"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.
"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."
Charles acceded to the throne upon the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth in 2022 and recalled that the late monarch - who served as Queen for 70 years - "mingled anonymously" and partied into the night as she celebrated with the country when she was a teenager.
He said: "The celebration that evening was marked by my own late mother who, just 19 years old, described in her diary how she mingled anonymously in the crowds across central London and 'walked for miles' among them.
"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!
"I do hope your celebrations tonight are almost as joyful, although I rather doubt I shall have the energy to sing until 2am, let alone lead you all in a giant conga from here back to Buckingham Palace."
