"It was like nothing I'd ever seen," 102-year-old RAF veteran Kenneth Johnson said of the VE Day celebrations in 1945. He is one of thousands across the north-east of England and Cumbria commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.

Europe is marking one of its most joyous days in history. V-E Day is also haunted by the specter of current-day conflict.

Countries across the world will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender in World War II. But this year’s events may be more bittersweet than in the past.

MPs and peers walked in procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, re-enacting the historic walk MPs did from Parliament on VE Day in 1945. Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was towards the front of the procession, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, a little way behind.

Britain’s King Charles and heir to the throne Prince William laid wreaths in Westminster Abbey on Thursday at the culmination of the country’s four days of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Britain's King Charles and heir to the throne Prince William will lay wreaths in Westminster Abbey later on Thursday, the culmination of the country's four days of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.