Boris Johnson lights candle at Westminster Abbey ahead of VE Day celebrations

Boris Johnson lit a a candle at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior (Picture: EPA/ PA)

Boris Johnson visited Westminster Abbey this evening ahead of the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on Friday.

The Prime Minister observed a minute’s silence for those who lost their ives during the Second World War, and lit a candle at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. He also visited the RAF Chapel and the Roll of Honour, which contains the names of 1,497 pilots and aircrew killed or mortally wounded during the Battle of Britain.

He will return to the abbey again tomorrow for a service of thanksgiving at 11am. The Queen will also be in attendance, and a minute’s silence will be observed across the UK in memory of fallen soldiers.

In the past, Westminster Abbey has held special services to mark VE Day anniversaries and has recorded a special podcast for this year’s occasion, featuring readings, music, address and prayers. It will be released on Friday at 9am, ahead of the service.

He was accompanied by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle (Picture: Getty Images)

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The Prime Minister will return to the abbey again tomorrow (Picture: Andrew Parsons / 10 Downing Street)

VE Day marks the official surrender of Nazi Germany to the allied forces, on May 8 1945. In previously years, it has been celebrated with street parties, parades and military flyovers.

On Wednesday, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed that this year’s celebration would be a quieter affair as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, members of the public are still encouraged to celebrate in their homes by hosting an indoor picnic or putting up bunting.

There will also be a toast to the heroes of the Second World War, which people can take part in at home at 3pm.

The Queen will address the nation in a televised message at 9pm – the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a speech over the radio three-quarters of a century earlier.

Johnson is facing a lot of questions about current lockdown restrictions (Picture: Getty Images)

Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old veteran who has raised more than 32,000,000 for NHS charities, will also share his memories of the war in an ITV documentary.

The celebrations come just days before Johnson is expected to reveal his plan for leaving lockdown, after social distancing measures were extended for a further three weeks. Reports suggest the restrictions could begin relaxing from Monday, despite the UK currently being the worst-hit country in Europe.

Earlier today a Downing Street spokeswoman the PM is working ‘in consultation’ with the leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, amid concerns that different nations in the UK could leave lockdown at different times.

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