The Royal Family will hope to put the drama of the last few days behind them as they turn out in force today to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

While the plans have long been in place, it is clear Buckingham Palace hopes their position at the forefront of the nation’s commemorations will refocus attention on their unifying role and positive contribution to public life, as opposed to Prince Harry’s latest salvos.

It is understood that, for the surviving veterans’ sake, the ‘fervent hope’ is that nothing will detract or distract from ‘celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries’.

A palace aide said: ‘The King, Queen and other members of The Royal Family are much looking forward to all the week’s VE Day events, when they will unite with the rest of the nation and those across the Commonwealth and wider world in celebrating, commemorating and giving thanks to the wartime generation whose selfless devotion duty and service should stand as an enduring example to us all – and must never be forgotten.’

The King will be joined by the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and all other senior members of the family for a flypast on the palace balcony to commemorate the end of the Second World War in Europe, as well as host a tea party for some of the last living heroes of the conflict as well as their families.

The stunning Marble Corridor at the royal residence will be decorated with bunting, echoing its unique role as focus of celebrations in May 1945.

Thousands of street parties are expected to be held across the country while more formal events involving the military will take place in London. 

There will be a procession of 1,300 members of the Armed Forces from Parliament Square to the Mall.

The King will be joined by the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and all other senior members of the family for a flypast on the palace balcony 

The Royal Family will hope to put the drama of the last few days behind them as they turn out in force today to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day

Buckingham Palace hopes their position at the forefront of the nation’s commemorations will refocus attention on their unifying role, as opposed to Prince Harry ‘s latest salvos

There will be a procession of 1,300 members of the Armed Forces from Parliament Square to the Mall

Thousands of street parties are expected to be held across the country while more formal events involving the military will take place in London

Last night Keir Starmer praised military veterans past and present for their ‘ongoing dedication to keeping our country safe’. 

The Prime Minister said the sacrifice made by members of the Armed Forces was a ‘debt that can never fully be repaid’ in a personal open letter to war heroes.

Sir Keir wrote: ‘I want to salute your ongoing dedication to keeping our country safe. Missing birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. Not being there in the photographs. This week, the country will show you just how thankful we all are. Because we know that without your service, the freedom, peace and joy that these celebrations embody would not be possible.’

He said VE Day represented ‘a victory for good against the assembled forces of hatred, tyranny and evil. VE Day is a chance to acknowledge, again, that our debt to those who achieved it can never fully be repaid’.