Keir Starmer has declared VE Day the “greatest victory” ahead of attending a service at Westminster Abbey.

The service, attended by King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as war veterans and prime ministers, marked 80 years since victory was declared in Europe at the end of the Second World War.

Speaking at a press conference prior to the service, Starmer called it “the greatest victory in the history of this great nation”. He paid tribute to the “defiance” and “sacrifice” of a “lionhearted generation”.

Starmer also read out a Bible verse, while the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, called for peace, saying: “All that is good is under threat again in our world today.”

King Charles and Prince William laid wreaths upon the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, bearing the message: “We will never forget.”

Retired Army officer and Christian, Major General Tim Cross, told Premier that he has been encouraged to see the 80th anniversary celebrated, as he is wary of the significance of war fading from national memory.

“We're now down to probably a few dozen veterans who actually served during the war, and people who have got memories of VE Day," he said. 

"But it is hugely important. I don't think there's any doubt about that, and I'm really pleased with the commemorations that have been going on today.”

Major General Cross said the day bears parallels with the Christian message of knowing peace will be secured, despite ongoing battle.

“Jesus himself said there will be wars and rumours of wars,” he told Premier. “I’ve served in many operations around the world, and have seen what people do to each other. It’s a broken world, a fallen world.

“But God is at work through us as individuals – helping us, enabling us and challenging us to live out our Christian faith in the roughness of the world, not just in warfare, but in the day-to-day lives that we all live.”