Silence fell across the UK as the bells chimed at noon to honour the fallen on VE Day. The King and Queen and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, were joined by veterans, service chiefs and military representatives for the special Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

All senior working royals attended, apart from Princess Alexandra, 88, who undertakes few public engagements due to her ailing health and mobility problems. The Royal Family arrived at the Abbey in order of precedence, with the lowest rank, the Duke of Kent, processing to his seat first from the back of the Abbey. He was followed by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The Prince and Princess of Wales then took their places at the front of the Abbey before a fanfare marked the arrival of the King and Queen. Both senior royal men are wearing Lounge Suits with their medals proudly on display.

Upon arrival, the congregation stood for a national two-minute silence of reflection and remembrance. The King then laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, followed by William, his son and heir.

During the Service of Thanksgiving commemorating the sacrifice of the Second World War generation, the Prime Minister will give a reading.

After the service, The King and Queen will have the opportunity to meet veterans in the congregation. Before departure, Camilla will lead other Members of the Royal Family in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial, outside the Abbey’s West Door.

The thanksgiving service on May 8 marks 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day, when huge crowds took to the streets at the end of World War II to celebrate the end of nearly six years of conflict.

Keir Starmer sat alongside Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, and Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, in the front row with Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, and Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle.

Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and the prime minister's wife, Victoria Starmer, were also in attendance.

All UK Government departments observed the silence and flew the Union Flag at full mast during the silence.

Thousands of people are set to gather for a concert at Horse Guards Parade following the service to bring a close to four days of VE Day events to honour the fallen.

Guernsey's Bailiff, Sir Richard McMahon, confirmed the Guernsey government would be marking the two-minute silence and urged members of the public and organisations to take part.

Events are being held throughout the country to mark the day.

The two-minute silence serves as a moment of reflection and gratitude for those who fought and gave their lives for the nation's freedom during World War II.

The first minute is dedicated to honouring the millions who were killed or injured, while the second minute pays tribute to the survivors, including the families and communities whose lives were forever changed by the war.

This tradition began after World War I and has since become a solemn custom for commemorating significant wartime sacrifices in the UK and across the Commonwealth.