Here's when you can see The Queen's speech this VE Day bank holiday

This weekend sees the early May bank holiday in its shiny new slot of Friday 8 May, a move intended to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Nationwide plans had been drawn up to mark the occasion, but they’ve had to be scrapped because of the coronavirus lockdown.

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Instead, many of us will be celebrating from behind closed doors, and there are a raft of alternative celebrations taking place designed to be undertaken safely in a socially distanced climate.

Despite the current restrictions, VE Day looks set to be a packed day of events and activities to honour the historical anniversary.

The highlight of many patriots' days will be The Queen's speech, followed by national doorstep rendition of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’.

When is The Queen's speech?

The Queen will deliver a highly personal address to the nation, describing the personal significance of VE Day 75 years on.

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The broadcast will emanate from Windsor Castle on Friday 8 May at 9pm on BBC One – the same time her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945.

"Let us remember those who will not come back, their constancy and courage in battle, their sacrifice and endurance in the face of a merciless enemy," the King said in an emotional address.

King George had famously visited east London with the Queen Mother to see with his eyes the devastation caused by the German raids, which boosted Briton's morale during the blitz and throughout the war.

Prince Charles will also read an extract of his grandfather's diary from 8 May 1945.

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The entry describes several events that took place on the momentous day, including the Royal Family’s iconic Buckingham Palace balcony appearances.

Members of the Royal Family, along with the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, will take part in video calls with Second World War veterans instead.

The veterans will also receive calls from NHS Volunteer Responders.

What else is happening?

Earlier in the day, the public will mark the occasion at home in national moment of remembrance, a two minute silence which will take place at home at 3pm.

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Throughout the afternoon, Britons are encouraged to hold 1940s-style afternoon tea parties at home rather than street parties, including their homemade bunting and recipes from the era.

Between 2.45 and 3.45pm, the first of two special BBC One programmes to mark VE75 will be broadcast, an including extract from Sir Winston Churchill’s victory speech.

Waving to the crowds from the Ministry of Health balcony, the Prime Minister said:“My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It's a victory of the great British nation as a whole.

"We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, but let us not forget for a moment the toils and efforts that lie ahead," he said.

VE Day 75: The People's Celebration begins on BBC One at 8pm

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