Almost half of Brit population joined in VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations smashing previous records

A RECORD 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this month.

Almost half the country took part in some way, by attending street parties, parades or by observing the two-minute silence.

A record 31.1million people joined the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations earlier this monthVeteran George Durrant, 100, who received the Burma Star, proudly waves his flag as he receives kissesRAF veterans Kathleen Lawrence, 101, and husband Roy Lawrence, 100, at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in StaffordshireThe Sun’s Mike Ridley interviews veteran Bernard Morgan, 100Jim Bowes dances with a member of staff at Erskine Veterans Home in Bishopton, Scotland

It smashed the record set by the late celebrations in 2022, when 16.8million people took part.

, whose Together Coalition helped promote the commemoration, said: “The historic levels of participation tell us there is a desire to connect with our shared history and to celebrate shared values together.

“At a time when our politics is more fragmented than ever, it’s all the more welcome our country is still able to come together to celebrate what we have in common.”;;

The events marked since the end of in on May 8, 1945.

A military parade past was watched by the .

Thousands of were also set up across Britain.

A service was held in and 10,000 people joined and at a pop concert on .

King Charles with veteran Harry Richardson, 107, during the anniversaryPrince George and Kate meet veterans at a tea party in Buckingham PalaceVeterans pose for a picture at the National Memorial Arboretum