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Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall led the nation’s two-minute silence at 11 a.m. Later, the day culminated in the Queen’s historic television speech. The 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe was particularly moving, as the United Kingdom remembered the fallen heroes at a time when it continues to fight against an invisible enemy. The coronavirus crisis prevented any large-scale gathering, and thousands of planned street parties were canceled.
However, millions of patriotic Britons were still determined to show their appreciation for the sacrifice of the Second World War generation. In towns and cities across the country, people would stop to get attention or sit at home quietly gazing at 11 am during the two-minute silence.
At the Balmoral War Memorial, near the entrance to the Queen’s 53,000-acre Highland Estate, a lone piper played as Charles and Camilla headed toward the stone monolith.
The shooting at Edinburgh Castle, 110 miles further south, marked the beginning of the silence.
The royal couple, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they were in Scotland, remained silent.
Charles, adorned with medals, wore a Hunting Stewart kilt with a Gordon Highlanders tie and a lapel badge.
In the green dress of the 4 Rifles, whose regiment is the Royal Colonel, and with a brooch representing the regiment of her late father, the twelfth royal lancers, Camilla shuddered with excitement.
His father, Major Bruce Shand, received the Military Cross twice and was taken prisoner in El Alamein, Egypt, in 1942. Major Shand, who died in 2006, spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.
She had collected spring flowers from the garden at Birkhall, the Highland home where she and Charles had been imprisoned, and placed them at the foot of the monument.
His card said: “In memory of my dear father and of all the officers and men of the XII Lancers who fought so bravely to give us peace. Camilla.”
The heir to the throne, deep in thought, placed a crown with a card that read: “In everlasting memory, Charles.”
It was the signal for a day of commemorations across the country where. Despite the restrictions, the patriotic pennant and flags were raised on the streets across the country.
The RAF arranged air flights, with the Red Arrows flying through the sky above Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, while Typhoon fighter jets flew over Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
At 3 in the afternoon, millions of people joined in a tribute to those who served at home and abroad.
Called The Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War II, families raised a glass, cheered, and applauded those who gave so much. He saw young and old pay homage to the British whose determination allowed good to triumph over evil during the war.
Yesterday’s extravagances captured the spirit of making and repairing, with communities determined to enjoy at a safe distance.
For those who couldn’t venture outside, technology brought the nation together as one.
The video allowed many to host virtual street parties.
And households went out of their way to show appreciation, even dressing to celebrate their own 1940s tea parties.
Viewers watched the deeply moving events of the day on BBC One, which devoted a seven-hour schedule to the commemorations. Exactly 75 years after the Allies’ formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender, 96-year-old RAF veteran Bert Turner gave his thoughts.
The former aviator, shot down twice during the war, summed up his generation’s unwavering will and devotion to duty.
He said, “If I knew what I know now, I would still do it all over again.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden praised Bert and the “older generation.”
He said, “Everyone who served in World War II has a lot of wisdom to share in facing our own struggles today.”
