Queen to light first VE Day beacon on Long Walk in Windsor

The Queen will light a VE Day beacon on the Long Walk in Windsor on Friday − the first of more than 200 to be lit across the UK to mark the anniversary.

Her Majesty will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh for the lighting of the beacon, which will be complemented by two others in Windsor Great Park.

Earlier in the day, the Duke of York will represent the Queen at a National Service at the Cenotaph in London.

Prince Andrew will lay a wreath, and will be joined by military and political representatives, and over one hundred veterans and their families will also be present.

On Sunday, the Queen, the Duke, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are due to attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, along with one thousand veterans and guests.

Friday marks the 70th anniversary of VE Day, the official end of Second World War hostilities in Europe, on May 8, 1945.