Queen lights first beacon to mark 70th anniversary of VE Day

Flames leapt into the night sky as the first beacon to mark the anniversary of VE Day was lit by the Queen.

The beacon, which was sited at the top of the Long Walk, was the first of some 200 lit across the UK to mark the 70th anniversary of the event on Friday, May 8.

More were also lit across the Commonwealth.

Her Majesty, who wore a blue and grey Angela Kelly coat, dress and hat, was joined by the Dukeof Edinburgh for the occasion.

The band from Windsor Boys’ School and Windsor Girls’ School played for the crowds.

Royal Borough Mayor Cllr Richard Kellaway (Con, Bisham and Cookham) said it was a ‘rather wonderful event’.

“It was rather magical,” he said.

“The Queen seemed to be in very relaxed form.”

The beacon, which has now been donated to the Royal Borough, was complemented by two further flames on the Long Walk.

The Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire the Hon James Puxley and the High Sheriff of Berkshire David Bertie also attended.

Victory in Europe (VE) Day marked the unconditional surrender of the Nazis to the Allies in 1945, bringing a close to the Second World War in Europe.