VE Day 2025: Map shows Red Arrows flypast route and schedule

Here’s an outline of the Red Arrows route today – make sure you keep your eyes peeled later on (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

The famous Red Arrows have taken to the skies today to kick off the VE Day celebrations.

On the first of four days of celebrations in the UK to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe,the stunning aerial display flew over the south of England,including Buckingham Palace,this afternoon.

Some of the jets that took part in the display include the P8 Poseidons,involved in tensions with Russia,Typhoon fast jets which are part of Nato Air Policing,and Voyager aircraft which have delivered equipment to Ukrainian forces are all taking part.

A number of traffic and travel restrictions are in place in the capital,with Transport for London (TfL) issuing advice for people wishing to avoid the crowds.

The military fly past passes over The Mall and Buckingham Palace,central London,at the end of the procession marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

What events took place today?

A military procession took place in London,starting off at Parliament Square at 12pm before finishing just before 1pm.

It consisted of around 1,000 members of the Armed Forces from the Royal Navy,British Army and Royal Air Force and 23 aircraft will from the Royal Air Force flypast.

The procession began with chimes from Big Ben,followed by Sir Winston Churchill’s 1945 victory speech spoken by actor Timothy Spall.

As the procession moved down Whitehall,it passed the Cenotaph,through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall,members of the royal family including King and Queen,Princess Royal and the Prince and Princess of Wales watched the event along with veterans from the Second World War.

Politicians including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer,London mayor Sadiq Khan,Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also joined veterans on the Buckingham Palace garden steps to watch the flyover.

Seven military bands were involved in the procession,including The Band of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on horseback.

Shortly before 1.45pm,Charles and Camilla went out on the Buckingham Palace balcony with William,Kate,Prince George,Princess Charlotte,Prince Louis and Princess Anne,as well as a number of members of the royal family.