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In photos: How the royal family celebrated VE Day's 80th anniversary

Kahla Preston
Kahla Preston

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Members of the British royal family have come together this week to celebrate a special anniversary.

A number of events have been held to mark 80 years since VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, which signalled the end of World War II in Europe.

On May 5, King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by numerous royal family members for a military procession and flypast over Buckingham Palace.

Of course, it was the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children who well and truly stole the spotlight – and you can probably guess which of the kids hammed it up for the cameras.

On May 8, the extended royal family came together again in a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, before attending a special concert hours later.

Keep scrolling to see all the photos from the various events.

Attribution: Getty
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The end of the VE Day celebrations came on May 8 at London's Horst Guards Parade, where thousands gathered for a special concert.

Performers included musical theatre icon Samantha Barks, The Darkness, Calum Scott, Toploader, Fleur East and John Newman.

Scottish actor Brian Cox, whose screen credits include Succession, Braveheart and Troy, also took to the stage, delivering a re-enactment of Winston Churchill's wartime speech.

However, it was King Charles who delivered the most poignant moment of the night.

Attribution: Getty
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The monarch addressed the nation 80 years to the hour after his grandfather King George VI announced the "dreadful shadow of war" had passed from "hearths and homes" in 1945.

"His words echo down through history as ... we unite to celebrate and remember, with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible," Charles said as he spoke on stage.

"While our greatest debt is owed to all those who paid the ultimate price, we should never forget how the war changed the lives of virtually everyone."

Attribution: Getty
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Several royals enjoyed the concert from the stands, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Catherine looked radiant in an all-white outfit accessorised with pearls.

Attribution: Getty
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She also wore a black velvet bow in her hair.

Attribution: Getty
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Here's the King and Queen; Camilla opted for a striking embroidered coat.

Attribution: AP
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A poignant moment for the Queen as she enjoyed the show.

Attribution: Getty
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Sophie, wrapped in shades of blush pink, looked patriotic as she waved her Union Jack.

Attribution: Getty
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Catherine teamed a five-strand pearl necklace with cluster earrings.

Attribution: Getty
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When her eyes weren't trained on the stage, the princess chatted with those around her.

Attribution: Getty

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