'The least we could do': Why King's VE Day message to veterans is very personal

Thousands poured on to the Mall and made their way towards Buckingham Palace - there was no greater sign of the desire to remember.

I was struck by the size of the crowds, but the stories that came from those who'd made the trip to London explained why they wanted to come.

More often than not, it was about family.

As it happened - Royals take part in VE Day celebrations

Bringing an elderly relative who was around during the war, or simply remembering someone who had served but was no longer with them. A sea of stories being told so they don't get forgotten.

At the centre of it, a family who have their own wartime story to tell. The King and Queen, taking their seats on a stage in front of Buckingham Palace, with the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the King's siblings and their spouses.

Uniforms and jewellery were worn, symbolic reminders of those they wanted to remember.

But this wasn't a seating plan dominated by royals and dignitaries; veterans from the Second World War shared those front row seats.

The King would have grown up with stories about the war, and he seemed in his element talking to others who were there.

Those conversations continued inside the palace, with a special tea party laid on.

Prince George wasn't expected to be there, but joined his mum and dad to talk to the veterans who'd been invited, looking at pictures from the time, as new photographs were taken.

Like families up and down the country, the Windsors want to make sure the next generation gets to hear those amazing stories before it's too late.

Read more:
VE Day commemorations - In pictures
How people celebrated in 1945
WWII codebreaker recalls chance encounter with Churchill

The monarch and the Royal Family will, in the coming day,s again do what is expected of them

As head of state and head of the armed forces, the King will lead the nation to celebrate the victory achieved and recognise the price many paid for peace.

But for a man who grew up around that selfless generation, his genuine thanks will be very personal.

As the King himself reflected over tea with those special guests inside Buckingham Palace, "it's the least we could do for you".

(c) Sky News 2025: 'The least we could do': Why King's VE Day message to veterans is very personal