VE Day 80 Proclamation – Thursday 8 May 2025

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

Eighty years ago today the United Kingdom and its allies from around

the globe celebrated the end of the war in Europe.

Today as we come together to commemorate what came to be known

as VE Day our thoughts turn to thanksgiving and remembrance of those

millions that gave so much to achieve the freedom we all enjoy today.

We remember those we lost, those who were wounded or scarred, those

whose lives were forever changed by war. Nobody was immune from the

impact of that terrible conflict.

Let us pause to remember their sacrifice.

We reflect too upon the words of our late and glorious

Queen, Elizabeth the Second

– “Never Give Up, Never Despair”.

And so we offer thanksgiving for the selflessness of those who gave up

so much in order that future generations should enjoy the blessings of

freedom, democracy and peace.

God Save the King!