Military bands and units have paraded through central London overnight in a dress rehearsal for next week’s VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations.
The rehearsal saw bands, soldiers and mounted units gather from about 2.30am this morning to retrace the route they will take.
Sounds of bagpipes, marching soldiers and trotting horses echoed through the streets as they progressed from Parliament Square to Whitehall, then to Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, The Mall, and finally to Buckingham Palace.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Thursday, watching a ceremony with a packed schedule that includes a military procession of 1,300 members of the armed forces.
A flypast by the Red Arrows and aircraft used to support Ukraine will be part of the commemorative ceremony on Thursday.
The show will include planes involved in tensions with Russia, such as P8 Poseidons, which conduct reconnaissance missions surveying Russian vessels near UK waters, and Voyager aircraft, which fly Ukrainian recruits to the UK for training and deliver equipment to Ukrainian forces.
Units from the armed forces of Ukraine were also involved in yesterday’s late-night rehearsal parade.
Military bands and units paraded through central London overnight in a dress rehearsal for next week’s VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations. The rehearsal saw bands, soldiers and mounted units gather from about 2.30am on Saturday to retrace the route they will take
Members of the Armed Forces marched through central London overnight during a procession rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary. Sounds of bagpipes, marching soldiers and trotting horses echoed through the streets as they progressed from Parliament Square to Whitehall, then to Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, The Mall, and finally to Buckingham Palace
Military personnel pick up their guns at Wellington Barracks after taking part in the rehearsals for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in the early hours of Saturday morning in London
Units from the armed forces of Ukraine were also involved in yesterday’s late-night rehearsal parade. The Ukrainian soldiers are pictured during a procession rehearsal in London overnight
The band of the RAF (Royal Air Force) takes part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE (Victory in Europe) Day 80 procession on The Mall in central London on May 3, 2025. Britain kicks off four days of events Monday marking 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe, lent extra poignancy by the fading of the ‘Greatest Generation’ and renewed global turbulence
Members of the Household Cavalry take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession on Whitehall in central London in the early hours of May 3, 2025
A Pipe Band passes Buckingham Palace as they take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in central London on May 3, 2025. Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of central London on Thursday, watching a ceremony with a packed schedule that includes a military procession of 1,300 members of the armed forces
Members of the Armed Forces process through central London overnight during a procession rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary. Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany’s surrender in 1945
The VE Day 80 commemorations will begin on Monday with the military procession, expected to be viewed by thousands of people along The Mall. Members of the Armed Forces during a procession rehearsal through central London overnight
The King’s Guards gather at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in central London overnight
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Foinette, 47, the Brigade Major of the Household Division, who is in charge of the ceremony, speaks to media after a rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary. Lt Foinette said he ‘wonders what people coming out of nightclubs must think when they fall onto a military parade’. He said: ‘Once you have got over the shock of trying to climb a horse in the morning, there is something quite extraordinary about parading through London in the middle of the night’
Military personnel unwind at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the RAF band stand with their instruments at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the NATO forces march overnight during a procession rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary on May 5, in central London
A Pipe Band passes Buckingham Palace as they take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Equipment is packed away at Wellington Barracks after an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the RAF march past Trafalgar Square as they take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Equipment is packed away at Wellington Barracks after an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Military personnel stand with their weapons Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the Household Cavalry take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession on Whitehall in central London on May 3, 2025
The band of the Royal Marines takes part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession on the Mall in central London on May 3, 2025. Historic landmarks across the country will be lit up in the evening on May 6 while a VE Day Anniversary Concert will be held by the Parliament Choir at the Palace of Westminster the following day
Military personnel hang their uniforms in the back of a truck at Wellington Barracks, after taking part in the rehearsals for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in the early hours of the morning in London, Britain May 3, 2025
RAF band members approach Buckingham Palace as they take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025. A variety of events are scheduled to take place around the UK to mark the 80th anniversary. King Charles and Queen Camilla will host a tea party for Second World War veterans as part of the celebrations
The King’s Guards and other military personnel unwind at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Royal Navy personnel unwind at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025. The VE Day 80 commemorations will begin on Monday with the military procession, expected to be viewed by thousands of people along The Mall. The procession will conclude with The Mall being filled by members of the public, and a fly past featuring the Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft
Members of the Royal Fusiliers prepare to depart Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the Household Cavalry take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession on Whitehall in central London on May 3, 2025
Military personnel unwind at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Ukrainian personnel will join around 1,000 UK service personnel from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force in London on Monday
Military personnel pass Buckingham Palace as they take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Military personnel unwind at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Military personnel take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE (Victory in Europe) Day 80 procession on Whitehall in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the Royal Fusiliers prepare to depart Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
A group of military members smile and chat while unwinding at the Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London
A military band takes part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession on The Mall in central London on May 3, 2025. The rehearsal saw bands, soldiers and mounted units gather from about 2.30am on Saturday to retrace the route they will take
Military personnel unwind at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the RAF return to Wellington Barracks after taking part in a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, a rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Military band members march past Trafalgar Square as they take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Military personnel are seen folding their uniforms at Wellington Barracks after taking part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day procession in central London
Flags of the Commonwealth are carried by members of the Armed Forces during an overnight procession rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary in central London
The VE Day 80 commemorations will begin on Monday with the military procession, expected to be viewed by thousands of people along The Mall. The procession will conclude with The Mall being filled by members of the public, and a fly past featuring the Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft
Members of the Armed Forces during a rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary on May 5, at Wellington Barracks, London
Military bands and units have parade through central London overnight in a dress rehearsal for VE Day, leaving bewildered nightclub goers ‘falling onto a military parade’
Members of the Genadier Guards return to Wellington Barracks after taking part in a Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace, a rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
SA80 rifles seen at Wellington Barracks after in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the Armed Forces during a rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary on May 5, at Wellington Barracks, London
Military personnel pass Buckingham Palace as they take part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession in central London on May 3, 2025
Gurkha military personnel talk at Wellington Barracks after taking part in the rehearsals for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in the early hours of the morning in London, Britain May 3, 2025
Military band members walk down a ramp into a car park at Wellington Barracks, after taking part in the rehearsals for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in the early hours of the morning in London, Britain May 3, 2025
The band of the Royal Marines takes part in an overnight rehearsal for the VE Day 80 procession on Whitehall in central London on May 3, 2025
Members of the Armed Forces during a procession rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary on May 5, in central London
Military personnel relax at Wellington Barracks after taking part in the rehearsals for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in the early hours of the morning in London, Britain May 3, 2025
A Ukrainian military unit takes part in the rehearsals of the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in the early hours of the morning in London, Britain May 3, 2025. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Ukrainian personnel will join around 1,000 UK service personnel from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force in London on Monday
Military personnel from Ukraine rehearse to join British Armed Forces for the VE Day 80 parade in London, Britain, May 2, 2025. This joining together will symbolise the global support for Ukraine’s ‘continued fight for freedom against Russia’s unprovoked, illegal invasion’, the MoD said
Military personnel hang their uniforms in the back of a truck at Wellington Barracks, after taking part in the rehearsals for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in the early hours of the morning in London, Britain May 3, 2025
Instruments used by the military personnel during the VE Day processional overnight are placed on a pavement at Wellington Barracks
Military personnel stand at Wellington Barracks after taking part in the rehearsals for the VE Day 80th anniversary procession in the early hours of the morning in London, Britain May 3, 2025
Members of the Armed Forces during a procession rehearsal in preparation for the VE Day 80th Anniversary on May 5, in central London overnight
