VE Day: Royal family marks 75th anniversary with messages on social media

Prince William and Kate Middleton share throwback picture of the Queen taken in 1945

To mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, several members of the royal family have shared commemorative messages on social media.

In 1945, Queen Elizabeth II was a 19-year-old princess who, with her younger sister Princess Margaret, left the confines of Buckingham Palace to celebrate victory in Europe during the Second World War.

Seventy-five years on, the 94-year-old monarch and her family have used their social media platforms to share posts in remembrance of the occasion.

On the official Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts for the royal family, audio from King George VI’s 1945 radio address has been shared.

Quoting directly from the late King’s speech, the caption reads: “There is great comfort in the thought that the years of darkness and danger in which the children of our country have grown up are over and, please God, for ever.”

The royal family also shared an audio clip from an interview Queen Elizabeth II gave more than 30 years after VE Day, in which she described what it was liked to be a part of the celebrations.

“I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief,” the Queen said.

On Kensington Palace’s official Instagram account, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a throwback photograph of the Queen taken in 1945 when the then-princess was serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

“On this day millions of people took to the streets and pubs to celebrate peace, mourn their loved ones, and to hope for the future,” the caption states.

This morning, the Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, led the two-minute silence held in honour of those who lost their lives during the Second World War.

The social media accounts for Clarence House shared photographs of the royal couple visiting a memorial near Balmoral in Scotland, where they are staying during lockdown.

Prince Charles, who was wearing Highland Day Dress, laid a wreath, while Camilla placed spring flowers on the memorial.

Later today, the Queen will deliver a special televised address to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

For everything you need to know about the Queen’s speech, click here.