The Queen's special place in VE Day history

It's hard, on a day like today, when the memories of VE Day in 1945 are brought to mind to put to one side the fact that the Queen was there. She was a young princess, aged 19, and stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with her parents, her sister and Winston Churchill as a nation rejoiced at the end of the war. And as she walked into Westminster Abbey today for a Service of Thanksgiving for the end of the conflict, for ensuing peace, for all those who died in World War Two and those who came back it was even harder than usual to forget, as if we would want to, that Elizabeth II is part of that history herself.

The Queen lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey on May 10th 2015

The Queen came to the Abbey with her family - the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex among them - to pay tribute, to remember and to celebrate peace.

Members of the Royal Family @wabbey earlier today for the #VEDay70 service pic.twitter.com/2PtSfhfHLh

— BritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) May 10, 2015

The Queen laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before the service which bore the simple message 'In Memory of the Glorious Dead' and which carried her name and that of her husband.

The message from the Queen on the wreath she laid at a Service of Thanksgiving marking 70 years since VE Day

During the service, which included a reading by newly re-elected Prime Minister David Cameron, there were more chances to remember the many sacrifices made during those years. And more poignant memories for the Queen as another reading were words first spoken by her own father, George VI. They came from his VE Day speech and echoed through history from the man who was king during the war to the daughter who has ruled the same country through over six decades of peace.

View image | gettyimages.com

After the Queen had returned to Buckingham Palace there was a march past of veterans and the sombre mood changed to celebrations as they waved to the crowds who cheered back and took photos in the blazing sunshine of a May day filled with warmth. And slowly they made their way to Horseguards Parade where the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, took the salute. The couple later had a chance to meet some of the veterans when they attended a reception.

Prince Charles talking to veterans at a reception marking the 70th anniversary of VE Day

The Queen has made two public appearances in the three day long celebrations that have marked 70 years since the end of World War Two in Europe. On Friday evening she lit the first of over 200 beacons across the UK which put 'flames of hope' into the night sky in a gesture similar to that made by thousands around the UK who lit bonfires on VE Day in 1945 to celebrate the end of the war. That appearance at Windsor has now been followed by her tributes at Westminster Abbey. But no one will forget that, as the world remembers, the Queen's memories are very special. She is part of the history being celebrated this weekend and her presence is historic all in itself.