The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alastair King, will lead the Square Mile’s tribute to the heroes of the Second World War, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE80) with a powerful address at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Speaking at a reception this evening in the Crypts of one of the nation’s most places of remembrance, the Lord Mayor will say it was “an enormous honour” to mark what he will describe as “one of the most consequential days in the history of our City, our country, and indeed the world.”
He will reflect on the sacrifices made by a generation who secured the freedoms we enjoy today, saying:
“To all of them, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude – for everything we are able to do and enjoy now, and for the 80 years of relative peace, prosperity, and above all, freedom which they won for us.”
Earlier in the day, a service will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral, a building that became a potent symbol of London’s resilience during the Blitz, its dome famously shining through smoke and flame as a beacon of hope.
The Lord Mayor will also pay tribute to Sir Winston Churchill, who he will say “probably did more than any other single person for Victory in Europe,” urging today’s citizens never to take peace or freedom for granted.
He will say: “We owe them the duty to remain true to all they fought for – to be vigilant in defence of our freedoms, and steadfast in our defence of the nation.”
As part of the City’s commemorations, the City of London Corporation has illuminated its Guildhall headquarters, and the Mansion House – the home of the Lord Mayor – in red, white and blue, with the Tower Bridge joining suit.
“This is our small way of showing that the City of London will always remember VE Day. And to those who fought and served, we will always say: thank you”, the Lord Mayor will say.
The City continues to stand by the UK’s Armed Forces. In the speech, the Lord Mayor, whose wife is a serving Army Reservist, will highlight efforts to encourage more businesses in the Square Mile to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting serving personnel, Cadets and Reservists across the capital.
