The Princess of Wales wore Alessandra Rich for today’s VE Day 80 Service of Thanksgiving. 
A quick video via Westminster Abbey shows the Prince and Princess arriving.
Below, the King and Queen as they arrived at Westminster Abbey.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. 
Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. 
The Gloucesters.
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Commemorations have been held throughout the week. Below, a dramatic scene from the Tower of London, where 30,000+ ceramic poppies have been installed.
The display shows nearly 30,000 of the original poppies that were made for the 2014 installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, marking the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War. A need release notes, “The specially commissioned installation resembles a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz. Below, the scene in daylight. 
Buildings were illuminated to mark the occasion. This is the Ministry of Defence Head Office in Whitehall.
Returning to Westminster Abbey and today’s events, here you see veterans arriving at the Abbey ahead of the service.
78 veterans of the Second World War attended today’s service.
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MPs and Peers walking in procession to the Abbey .
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Another World War II veteran at today’s service.
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Veterans of the Second World War were given a single white rose.
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At noon, there was a two-minute period of silence across the UK.
The King and the Prince of Wales have laid a wreath at a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey. pic.twitter.com/HlReSZZKaN
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 8, 2025
The King and Prince of Wales placed wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
More from The Guardian’s coverage.
The king, on behalf of the nation and Commonwealth, placed a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, with the message: “We will never forget.” The Prince of Wales followed with a wreath on behalf of veterans and the second world war generation. The tributes comprised seasonal flowers that would have been in bloom 80 years ago, including pink, white and peach roses.
The Prince of Wales placing the second wreath at the Tomb.
An honour to mark this historic moment and give thanks alongside veterans and families. pic.twitter.com/xgHDSvZBYC
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 8, 2025
The message on the card accompanying the wreath placed by the Prince of Wales. 
The Queen and Princess of Wales. 
Members of the Royal Family after they were seated. 
We return to The Guardian’s coverage.
Inside the abbey, it was the veterans who were honoured, by a congregation of royalty, politicians and military. Some in wheelchairs, others leaning heavily on sticks, they were presented with white roses, signifying peace, handed to them by six young people. It was a reminder that as time continues to claim first-hand witnesses to the war, the younger generation will shoulder responsibility for remembrance.
Sir Winston Churchill’s ten-year-old great-great-grandson, Alexander Churchill, lit a candle of peace. 
A brief video.
Alexander Churchill, great-great grandson of Sir Winston Churchill. #WestminsterAbbey #Churchill #VEDay80 pic.twitter.com/LbD43BfkTl
— fan of….Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (@audrey_fforbes) May 8, 2025
More from The Telegraph’s piece by Hannah Furness.
After completing his task, the youngster, dressed in a suit and tie, stood proudly with his hands clasped and smiled at the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, who mouthed: “Well done.”
After the service, members of the Royal Family spoke with veterans. 
The Princess with a veteran. 
Another image of the King.
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And one more of the Princess. 
As they exited the church, women of the royal family were given flowers. 
The Princess. 
More on the flowers via this Daily Mirror story.
The blooms were picked yesterday within the walls of Windsor Castle and the surrounding estate. They included rosemary for remembrance, oak for endurance and bluebells, which traditionally represent gratitude.
The bouquets were then placed at the Abbey’s Innocent Victims’ Memorial, created to “…remember civilians, men, women and children, who have suffered death, torture and oppression throughout the world.” 
The Queen places her flowers at the memorial.
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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
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Princess Anne places her bouquet on the memorial.
The Gloucesters.
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People gathered outside the Abbey after the service. Here you see Alexander Churchill with John Morris, age 103. 
Mr. Morris is the last surviving member of the Raiding Support Regiment (RSR), an offshoot of the Special Air Service.
Now for our look at what Kate wore for the service. We begin with her Alessandra Rich dress, first noted at Order of the Garter ceremonies in 2023. The dress, customized for the Princess, is 100% silk and features a high neck, padded shoulders, pleating, a deep back vent, and a concealed back zipper.
Here you see an off-the-rack version of the style, shown as it was stocked at Cettire (sold out). 
The Princess’s hair was styled in an elaborate updo.
Some of you may have recognized the hat by milliner Juliette Botterill, the Flower and Feather Teardrop style. As the name suggests, the style features a teardrop-shaped base with feathers and flowers. The design was initially worn on Remembrance Sunday 2024. The Princess had a birdcage mourning veil added to her hat. 
The Princess brought back her Ralph Lauren Celia Pumps ($750), first noted in September 2020. 
And she repeated her handbag by DeMellier London, the British accessory maker’s Nano Montreal style ($450). The bag measures 7″ x 6″ and has a tubular top handle; it also comes with a removable/adjustable cross-body strap. 
This is not as thorough a post as I usually like to do, but I have an appointment that couldn’t be moved this afternoon. I will see you later for another post as the Prince and Princess join the King and Queen at tonight’s VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember concert at Horse Guards Parade. I’ll leave you with one more photo from the Abbey.
VIDEOS:
The late Queen’s recollections of VE Day in 1945.
‘I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief.’
On this day in 1945, Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) pulled down her uniform cap and merged incognito into the crowds in… pic.twitter.com/0zlFi9gCju
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 8, 2025
The Royal Family Channel covers the wreath-laying at the Abbey.
The Royal Family Channel also offers coverage of Royal Familymembers departing after the service.
