Prince George Shines At Buckingham Palace VE Day Celebration With Second World War Heroes

Prince George showed his growing confidence in his royal role today as he shared warm moments with Second World War veterans during the 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day.

The young future king looked right at home as he, along with his parents, Prince William and Princess Kate, mingled with veterans at a special tea party held at Buckingham Palace. King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and other senior royals also joined in honoring the nation's heroes.

During the event, Prince William proudly told 101-year-old veteran Alfred Littlefield, from Portchester, that George was "very interested" in learning about the experiences of those who served. Littlefield’s granddaughter later shared that George even asked her grandfather how old he was during the war — a moment that left the veteran "very proud."

Photos captured George beaming as he shook hands with the veterans, reflecting the genuine connection he made during the afternoon.

Earlier, veterans sat alongside the royals to watch a stirring military procession outside the Palace, launching a week of commemorative events.

One touching moment came when 98-year-old Joy Trew revealed that His Majesty the King had gently "tucked me in" to keep her warm during the outdoor ceremony. Trew also shared a lighthearted exchange with the King about parenting, recalling that she told him she had tried to be a "strict mother."

The tea party gathered a remarkable group of veterans, including a 98-year-old former prisoner of war, a 99-year-old Desert Rat who fought on D-Day, and a 100-year-old woman who served with Churchill’s secretive Special Operations Executive.

Among the many heartfelt conversations, Prince William spoke with Douglas Hyde, who joined the Merchant Navy at just 18 in 1944. William mentioned how eager George was to ask Hyde questions about his service.

Meanwhile, Kate showed her personal side, asking for a copy of a memoir written by Margaret Wood, who had been evacuated during the war as a child. Wood recalled that Kate was "just an ordinary lady, just a mum," despite her royal title.

Kate also joked with veterans about George, quipping, "He's going to have to practice his shooting like you!"

Adding to the light-hearted atmosphere, 101-year-old Norman Trickett delighted Queen Camilla with a magic trick, tying a piece of string around her finger before skillfully whipping it off, making her laugh.

Veteran Robert Piper, 99, from Southwater, West Sussex, reflected on the emotional day, saying, "The men I served with gave it their all for this country. It's right they're still remembered, and I hope the younger generations keep their memories alive."

Another veteran, Henry Ducker, 104, shared a humorous chat with Queen Camilla about her father, Major Bruce Shand, who had served heroically during the Second World War.

The veterans enjoyed a classic British tea party menu, including sandwiches, scotch eggs, scones, egg and bacon quiche, vegetable pasties, and sweet treats like lemon cake, treacle tarts, and strawberries and cream. Tables in the Marble Hall were adorned with bunting crafted from recycled royal fabrics.

Later, the veterans gathered on the Buckingham Palace garden steps to watch a spectacular flypast, smiling and applauding as planes roared overhead. Joe Mines, 100, gave a hearty wave to the sky, while Ruth Barnwell, 100, a Women's Royal Naval Service veteran, summed up the day: "It was great. Really great. Today has been wonderful."

Political leaders including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch attended the event, along with actor Timothy Spall.

Mark Atkinson, Director General of the Royal British Legion, described the celebration as "one of our last opportunities as a nation to pay tribute to the veterans still with us today," emphasizing how proud the charity was to be at the heart of the commemorations.

British and Commonwealth veterans — from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, the Women's Royal Naval Service (Wrens), SOE agents, D-Day heroes, and Desert Rats — came together for an unforgettable afternoon that honored their legacy and bridged generations.