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VE Day in pictures: 18 powerful and evocative images that capture the joy of May 8, 1945

Tomorrow, it will have been 80 years since the Second World War in Europe came to an end, after six long, bloody years. Country Life looks back on a remarkable day in history.

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Crowds fill the streets of London on VE Day

(Image credit: Alamy)

By Country Life

last updated 7 May 2025

in News

Churchill broadcast the end of hostilities of WWII, one minute after midnight — On May 8, one minute after midnight, Sir Winston Churchill, the then Prime Minister, announced the end to War in Europe. In the ensuing hours, millions of people, in the UK and abroad, rejoiced in the news that Germany had surrendered — relieved that the intense strain of total war was finally over.

From a balcony in the Ministry of Health Building in Whitehall, Mr. Churchill addresses a huge crowd, 8th May 1945 — Prime Minister Winston Churchill waves to a crowd of 50,000 full with the spirit of VE day from the balcony of the Ministry of Health in London.

VE Day celebrations in London — Ecstatic crowds in Westminster. People dressed in red, white and blue and lit symbolic bonfires to mark the end to blackouts.

Young children in bomb-scarred Battersea in south London with their Union Jacks. — Young children in bomb scarred Battersea with their Union Jack flags.

Ecstatic crowds celebrating VE Day in Trafalgar Square at the end of World War II, London, 8th May 1945 — One of the lions in Trafalgar Square is swamped by revellers.

British girls, of the Picture Division of the London Office of War Information, dance in the street with American soldiers during the V-E Day celebrations in London, May 8, 1945 — British girls, of the Picture Division of the London Office of War Information, dance in the street with American soldiers in London.

The Royal Family and Winston Churchill greet the people from Buckingham Palace balcony' 8th May 1945 — The then King and Queen, the two Princesses and Churchill greet people assembled in front of Buckingham Palace. Princess Elizabeth wore the khaki uniform of the Auxiliary Territorial Services (ATS). Her only daughter, Princess Anne, wore largely the same uniform on May 5, 2025, for an RAF flypast which formed part of the 80th anniversary celebrations.

Ecstatic crowds celebrating VE Day in London's Piccadilly, at the end of World War II, 8th May 1945 — People brandishing the UK and US flags in Piccadilly.

A Dufaycolor colour transparency of Trafalgar Square in London, taken by an unknown photographer in May 1945. — A Dufaycolor colour transparency of Trafalgar Square, taken by an unknown photographer. Nelson's Column is draped in bunting and decorated with the flags of the Allied Powers.

Street party near Clapham Common VE Day 1945 Getty images — A street party near Clapham Common.

Mrs Pat Burgess of Palmer's Green, north London is thrilled to get the news that her husband will soon be home for good from Germany, 7th May 1945 — Mrs Pat Burgess of Palmer's Green, in north London, is thrilled to get the news that her husband will soon be home for good.

Princess Elizabeth VE Day — Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) is greeted by crowds as she tours the East End of London on the day after VE Day (May 9).

St Paul's VE Day 1945 Getty images — St Paul's Cathedral is illuminated with brilliant light during victory celebrations.

Photos taken abroad

VE Day celebrations, Paris, 8 May 1945. A soldier smothere with kisses by jubilant women — In Paris, a soldier is smothered with kisses by jubilant women.

VE DAY PARADE, NEW YORK CITY — A VE Day parade makes its way through the heart of New York City in the US.

While watched by a celebrating crowd, women get kissed by US military men at Times Square on V-E Day, May 7, 1945 — An enduring image: while a crowd watches on, US military men kiss women in New York's Times Square.

Soldiers read of victory, standing by a German 88mm gun at Verdun, France on VE Day — Soldiers read of victory while standing next to a German 88mm gun at Verdun, France.

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