Leave it to the British Royal Family to turn a solemn commemoration into must-see TV. The 80th anniversary of VE Day brought all the expected pomp and circumstance—but who could’ve predicted that Prince Louis would once again prove himself the monarchy’s most reliable scene-stealer?
The Mall in London transformed into a sea of Union Jacks as thousands gathered to witness three generations of royals mark this historic milestone. King Charles, despite ongoing cancer treatment, cut a determined figure alongside Queen Camilla. Meanwhile, the Wales family—complete with their trio of increasingly camera-aware children—offered a glimpse of the monarchy’s next chapter.
Big Ben’s familiar chimes kicked off the day’s ceremonies at noon. Then came actor Timothy Spall, channeling his inner Churchill with a rousing delivery of the 1945 victory speech. Rather fitting, really—Spall’s gravelly tones breathing new life into words that changed the course of history.
But let’s be honest—the real show happened when young Prince Louis decided to do what he does best: steal focus with perfectly timed comedic relief. The cheeky royal had social media in stitches with his spot-on impression of Prince George’s hair-fixing routine. “The prince of trolling strikes again,” as one observer aptly put it on X (though some of us still catch ourselves calling it Twitter).
The military procession wove through London’s historic heart with characteristic precision. In an unprecedented touch, the Cenotaph wore Union Jacks for the first time since King George V unveiled it in 1920—a sight that would’ve been worth the trip alone.
That balcony moment at Buckingham Palace carried extra weight this year. With both King Charles and Princess Catherine navigating their respective health challenges, the family’s united front spoke volumes. Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words—or in this case, a thousand headlines.
Behind the palace doors, a more intimate scene unfolded as the King and Queen hosted WWII veterans and Home Front workers for tea. Someone had the brilliant idea to deck the halls with bunting made from recycled materials from royal estates—the kind of thoughtful detail that probably wouldn’t have crossed anyone’s mind even five years ago.
This kick-off to the four-day commemoration sets the stage for May 8th’s main event. Westminster Abbey will do what it does best—solemnity and ceremony—before things take a musical turn at Horse Guards Parade. Expect wartime classics and veteran stories that’ll have even the stiffest upper lips quivering.
Yet somehow, between the gravitas of Churchill’s words and Prince Louis’s irrepressible spirit, the day managed to capture something essential about Britain’s royal family. They’re at their best when they’re both majestic and relatable—even if it takes a five-year-old’s antics to remind us of that fact.
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