A service to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War also served as a sombre final farewell of sorts for Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg today, as the politicians lined up for the last time alongside David Cameron.
The Victory in Europe remembrance service at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall, marked the last official duty of the deputy prime minister and leader of the opposition.
Just hours earlier, Clegg, and Miliband, resigned after the Tories won an overall majority in the House of Commons.
Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, stand with Prime Minister David Cameron at a service in London marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War
Miliband quit after Labour dropped 26 seats on its 2010 tally - having won just under 31% of the vote, and Mr Clegg bowed out after his party was obliterated. While he won his Sheffield Hallam seat, Mr Clegg's party dropped from 57 MPs to just eight.
The ceremony in London at 3pm was to be followed by a reception for 2,000 veterans in St James's Park, hosted by the Royal British Legion and the government, but activities to mark the anniversary will take place across Britain all weekend.
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VE 70th Anniversary
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(01 of53)
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and Prime Minister David Cameron prepare to attend a tribute at the Cenotaph to begin three days of national commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day in London on Friday (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
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Outgoing opposition Labour Party leader Mr Miliband, outgoing Liberal Democratic Party leader Mr Clegg and British Prime Minister Mr Cameron attend a VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WWII-HISTORY-ANNIVERSARY(03 of53)
Mr Miliband, Mr Clegg and and Mr Cameron attend a VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
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Mayor of London Boris Johnson (L) attends a VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
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Scotland's First Minister and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) Nicola Sturgeon (C) attends a VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
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Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg and Mr Miliband prepare to lay wreaths at The Cenotaph (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
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Mr Clegg gazes at his old boss Mr Cameron at the Cenotaph (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(08 of53)
Mr Miliband, Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron prepare to place a wreath (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
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Mr Johnson attends a VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
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Ms Sturgeon, Mr Johnson, Mr Miliband (3R), Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron at the service (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WWII-HISTORY-ANNIVERSARY(11 of53)
British Prime Minister David Cameron (R), outgoing opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband (L) and outgoing Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg (C) lay wreathes as they take part in the VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London on May 8, 2015, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(12 of53)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: (2nd-L-R) Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and Prime Minister David Cameron prepare to place a wreath during a tribute at the Cenotaph to begin three days of national commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in London, England. Leaders of the United Kingdom are gathering together after the country went to the polls yesterday and voted to keep Conservative party leader David Cameron as Prime Minister. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WWII-HISTORY-ANNIVERSARY(13 of53)
British Prime Minister David Cameron (R), outgoing opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband (L) and outgoing Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg (C) lay wreathes as they take part in the VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London on May 8, 2015, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WWII-HISTORY-ANNIVERSARY(14 of53)
British Prime Minister David Cameron (L), outgoing opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband (R) and outgoing Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg (C) lay wreathes as they take part in the VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London on May 8, 2015, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(15 of53)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: (2nd-L-R) London Mayor Boris Johnson, Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond attend a tribute at the Cenotaph to begin three days of national commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in London, England. Leaders of the United Kingdom are gathering together after the country went to the polls yesterday and voted to keep Conservative party leader David Cameron as Prime Minister. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WWII-HISTORY-ANNIVERSARY(16 of53)
(L-R) Outgoing opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, outgoing Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg and British Prime Minister David Cameron attend a VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London on May 8, 2015, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(17 of53)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: (2nd-L-R) London Mayor Boris Johnson, Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond attend a tribute at the Cenotaph to begin three days of national commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in London, England. Leaders of the United Kingdom are gathering together after the country went to the polls yesterday and voted to keep Conservative party leader David Cameron as Prime Minister. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WWII-HISTORY-ANNIVERSARY(18 of53)
(L-R) Outgoing opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, outgoing Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg and British Prime Minister David Cameron attend a VE Day service of remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London on May 8, 2015, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
Britain Election(19 of53)
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, left, leaves 10 Downing Street in London with a soldier to attend a VE Day service at the Cenotaph, Friday, May 8, 2015. Cameron's Conservative Party swept to power Friday in Britain's Parliamentary elections winning an unexpected majority. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Britain Election(20 of53)
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, left, leaves 10 Downing Street in London with a soldier, to attend a VE Day service at the Cenotaph, Friday, May 8, 2015. Cameron's Conservative Party swept to power Friday in Britain's Parliamentary elections winning an unexpected majority. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Poland World War II(21 of53)
Polish veteran military officers salute during a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, at Westerplatte, near Gdansk, Poland Friday, May 8, 2015. Poland's president led international commemorations late Thursday and into Friday marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, a gathering meant as an alternative celebration to Moscow's Red Square parade this weekend.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Nicola Sturgeon Departs To Attend VE Day Commemorations In London(22 of53)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MAY 08: SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon departs Edinburgh ahead of attending the 70th anniversary of VE Day commemorations in London on May 8, 2015 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Nicola Sturgeon was heading to London following the Scottish National Party's historic landslide general election victory in Scotland, winning 56 out of 59 Scottish seats in the General Election, elevating former leader Alex Salmond to Westminster and destroying the Labour Partys share of the vote in Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
Nicola Sturgeon Departs To Attend VE Day Commemorations In London(23 of53)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MAY 08: SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon departs Edinburgh ahead of attending the 70th anniversary of VE Day commemorations in London on May 8, 2015 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Nicola Sturgeon was heading to London following the Scottish National Party's historic landslide general election victory in Scotland, winning 56 out of 59 Scottish seats in the General Election, elevating former leader Alex Salmond to Westminster and destroying the Labour Partys share of the vote in Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
France US Kerry(24 of53)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, France, Friday, May 8, 2015, during France's 70th anniversary of VE Day. Kerry has also visited Sri Lanka, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia on his trip. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
France World War II(25 of53)
French President Francois Hollande, foreground center, and prime minister Manulel Valls, background salute the flag at the start of a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Paris, France, Friday May 8, 2015. Standing at right is French junior minister for Veterans affairs Jean-Marc Todeschini. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Poland World War II(26 of53)
Polish Navy troops stand at the foot of the monument to Polish defenders of the Westerplatte peninsula, where some of World War IIâs first shots were fired, during ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, at Westerplatte, near Gdansk Poland Friday, May 8, 2015. Poland's president led international commemorations late Thursday and into Friday marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, a gathering meant as an alternative celebration to Moscow's Red Square parade this weekend. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
VE Day 70th anniversary celebrations(27 of53)
File photo dated of Sir Winston Churchill giving his familiar 'V' sign. seventy years after the nation broke out in jubilant celebration at the end of the Second World War, Britons will again take to the streets to commemorate VE (Victory in Europe) Day. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
France World War II(28 of53)
French President Francois Hollande, right, shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Paris, France, Friday May 8, 2015. Watching at left is Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
France World War II(29 of53)
French President Francois Hollande rekindles the flame during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Paris, France, Friday May 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
France World War II(30 of53)
French President Francois Hollande lays a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Paris, France, Friday May 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
CORRECTION Germany World War II Anniversary(31 of53)
CORRECTS MONTH TO MAY - German president Joachim Gauck, left, embraces Russian survivor Lev Frankfurt during a memorial ceremony on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II at the Soviet cemetery in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock, western Germany, near the prisoner-of-war camp Stalag 326, Wednesday, May 6, 2015. President Gauck remembered the Soviet WWII prisoners that died in Germany. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
CORRECTION Germany World War II Anniversary(32 of53)
CORRECTS MONTH TO MAY - German president Joachim Gauck lays a wreath during a memorial ceremony on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II at the Soviet cemetery in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock, western Germany, near the prisoner-of-war camp Stalag 326, Wednesday, May 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
France US Kerry(33 of53)
French President Francois Hollande, right, greets U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, center, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, left, during France's 70th anniversary of V-E Day ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, France, Friday, May 8, 2015. Kerry has also visited Sri Lanka, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia on his trip. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
France US Kerry(34 of53)
Visitors watch as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attends France's 70th anniversary of V-E Day ceremony near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, France, Friday, May 8, 2015. Kerry has also visited Sri Lanka, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia on his trip. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
France US Kerry(35 of53)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, center, accompanied by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, second from left, and U.S. Ambassador to France Jane Hartley, right, participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, France, Friday, May 8, 2015, during France's 70th anniversary of V-E Day. Kerry has also visited Sri Lanka, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia on his trip. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives in Moscow(36 of53)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY 8 : President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro (L) arrives at Vnukovo-2 airport with his wife, Cilia Flores (R) to join the celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 19411945. (Photo by 9 May Media Bank - Russia Today / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Moscow(37 of53)
MOSCOW , RUSSA- MAY 8: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives at Vnukovo-2 airport with his wife, Peng Liyuan to join the celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 19411945. (Photo by 9 May Media Bank - Russia Today /Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives in Moscow(38 of53)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY 8 : President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro (L) arrives at Vnukovo-2 airport to join the celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 19411945. (Photo by 9 May Media Bank - Russia Today / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th anniversary celebrations(39 of53)
File photo dated 08/05/1945 of Prime Minister Winston Churchill (centre) waving to a waiting crowd as he leaves the Houses of Parliament after the news of the defeat of Nazi Germany, as seventy years after the nation broke out in jubilant celebration at the end of the Second World War, Britons will again take to the streets to commemorate VE Day. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
Moscow Prepares For WW2 Victory 70th Anniversary Celebration(40 of53)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - MAY 08: Veterans of World War II, including Tammatov Zybaydula (in a wheelchair), 98, an Uzbek who served in the Soviet Red Army, arrive at the grand memorial to Soviet soldiers killed during World War II at Victory Park ahead of celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany and the end of World War II on May 8, 2015 in Moscow, Russia. The city of Moscow will celebrate the anniversary on May 9 with a Victory Day international military parade and other events that most European leaders are snubbing because they accuse Russia of involvement in the war in eastern Ukraine. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Sean Gallup via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th anniversary celebrations(41 of53)
File photo dated 08/05/1945 of British men, women and children celebrating 'VE Day' in a street, as seventy years after the nation broke out in jubilant celebration at the end of the Second World War, Britons will again take to the streets to commemorate VE Day. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
VE Day 70th anniversary celebrations(42 of53)
File photo dated 08/05/1945 of thousands of people gathering in Trafalgar Sqaure, London, to mark VE-Day, as seventy years after the nation broke out in jubilant celebration at the end of the Second World War, Britons will again take to the streets to commemorate VE Day. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
VE Day 70th anniversary celebrations(43 of53)
File photo dated 08/05/1945 of huge crowds at Whitehall celebrating VE Day in London, as seventy years after the nation broke out in jubilant celebration at the end of the Second World War, Britons will again take to the streets to commemorate VE Day. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
VE Day 70th anniversary celebrations(44 of53)
File photo dated 08/05/1945 of VE Day celebrations outside Mansion House in London, as seventy years after the nation broke out in jubilant celebration at the end of the Second World War, Britons will again take to the streets to commemorate VE Day. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
Canada VE Day(45 of53)
Children reach out to touch the hand of Canadian World War II navy veteran Bert Reynolds, 88, as he takes part in a parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands in Wageningen, Netherlands on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Prime Minister And Leader Of The Conservative Party David Cameron Attends VE Day Ceremony Following Election Victory(46 of53)
Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), attends the VE Day commemoration to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, at the Cenotaph in London, U.K., on Friday, May 8, 2015. The pound rose with U.K. stocks as Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron swept to victory in the nation's general election. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(47 of53)
CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 08: A gun is fired during a service at Cardiff Castle to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in Cardiff, Wales. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images) (credit:Matthew Horwood via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(48 of53)
CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 08: A policeman takes a picture during a service at Cardiff Castle to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in Cardiff, Wales. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images) (credit:Matthew Horwood via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(49 of53)
CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 08: Veterans and servicemen look on during a service at Cardiff Castle to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in Cardiff, Wales. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images) (credit:Matthew Horwood via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(50 of53)
CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 08: Servicemen and women look on during a service at Cardiff Castle to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in Cardiff, Wales. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images) (credit:Matthew Horwood via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(51 of53)
CARDIFF, WALES - MAY 08: A veteran lays a wreath during a service at Cardiff Castle to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in Cardiff, Wales. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images) (credit:Matthew Horwood via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(52 of53)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Members of the public gather during a tribute at the Cenotaph to begin three days of national commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in London, England. Leaders of the United Kingdom are gathering together after the country went to the polls yesterday and voted to keep Conservative party leader David Cameron as Prime Minister. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
VE Day 70th Anniversary Day One(53 of53)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Members of the public gather during a tribute at the Cenotaph to begin three days of national commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2015 in London, England. Leaders of the United Kingdom are gathering together after the country went to the polls yesterday and voted to keep Conservative party leader David Cameron as Prime Minister. Great Britain now starts three days of national commemorations of street parties, concerts and other events across the country to remember the end of World War II in Europe. (Photo by Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
Cathedrals across the country have been invited to ring their bells tomorrow, before a key event takes place on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.
The 1940s themed concert will feature performances by Katherine Jenkins, Pixie Lott and the Diversity Dance troupe. Street parties were also set to take place.
On Sunday a service of thanksgiving will be held at Westminster Abbey. Members of the Royal Family will attend, along with veterans and their families and representatives of the nations and countries that fought alongside Britain.
A parade of military personnel and soldiers is then scheduled to take place from the Abbey to the balcony of HM Treasury where Churchill made his historic speech.
A flypast of current and historic aircraft from the Royal Air Force was to take place during the afternoon.