Cnn
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King Charles British and heir to the throne, Prince William, deposited crowns in Westminster Abbey Thursday during the culmination of the country’s four days of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe.
The Thanksgiving Service in the Abbey began with a two -minute silence, which was also observed across the country, to remember the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, which entered into force on May 8, 1945.
Charles and William, military medals pinned on their chest and standing next to the old -fashioned veterans in a wheelchair, deposited crowns on the tomb of the unknown warrior, in a demonstration of respect for those who gave their lives during the Second World War.
The birthday, which comes to a time of current conflict in Europe with the Russian war in Ukraine, was also marked with events in France and Germany, while Moscow will hold a major military parade on Friday.
Speaking at a defense conference in London Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the day to celebrate the challenge, sacrifice and courage.
“A victory not only for Great Britain, but for the good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil,” he said.
In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of the “sacred” victory over Adolf Hitler, and said that his country was held against “neonazism”, a characterization of the current conflict in Ukraine which is strongly rejected by Kyiv.
Putin organized discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who joins Russia celebrations.
French President Emmanuel Macron had to deposit a crown at the statue of the French hero of the Charles de Gaulle war in Paris and inspect a parade of troops at the Arc de Triomphe. Dozens of vehicles from the Second World War era will also parade on Avenue Champs-Elysees.
In Berlin, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will speak to the Bundestag, the lower room of the German Parliament, during a special souvenir session.
VE Day’s 80th anniversary will be one of the last major celebrations with living veterans attending events, because most of them are now in the 90s or more.
British veterans were part of the Westminster Abbey Congregation in London. They will be welcomed by Charles and his wife Queen Camilla after the service, before the Senior Royals also put flowers in a nearby memorial.
The veterans also attended a large military parade and Flypast near the Buckingham Palace on Monday, one of a series of birthday events, in what was a few days busy for Charles.
The 76 -year -old monarch was diagnosed last year with an unpertified form of cancer and is still under treatment.
Later Thursday, there will be a concert at Horse Guards Parade for 10,000 people. Charles and Camilla will be in the audience to hear music and stories of veterans.
