VE Day 80: Veterans from Surbiton care home meet The King at Westminster Abbey service
Residents from Royal Star & Garter met and chatted to His Majesty The King when they attended a national service at Westminster Abbey marking the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day.
Veterans from the charity's Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe were at the service, on VE Day, Thursday, 8 May, which was also attended by senior members of the royal family, prime ministers past and present, and other leading dignitaries.
Royal Star & Garter's Homes also marked the anniversary of VE Day, when Nazi Germany surrendered to Allied Forces in 1945, with music, festivities and VIP visits.
There was also a Guinness World Record attempt for largest ever the virtual cream tea party.
Residents from the three Homes attended the Westminster Abbey service.
After it finished, members of the royal family, including Royal Star & Garter's Patron HRH The Princess Royal, spent time speaking to guests at the Abbey.
Residents and staff from all three Homes shook hands and chatted to King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
In the Homes, residents also enjoyed street parties reminiscent of those that took place on VE Day 80 years ago, with live music, visits from cadets and delicious food.
Kingston & Surbiton MP Sir Ed Davey was among the guests at Surbiton.
The Home had vintage band D-Day Dollies providing live nostalgic entertainment.
It also had a projector and big screen showing celebrations and footage from VE Day in 1945.
The special day started with WWII Wren Connie raising the Union flag at the front of the Home.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: "I feel very honoured to be able to celebrate VE Day with my veteran constituents here at Royal Star & Garter.
"I received a warm welcome as ever and appreciated being able to spend time with the residents on this historic day, especially meeting Amy, a WAAF veteran, who remembers VE Day clearly.
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