The Duke of York laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the Queen as the nation fell silent on the 70th anniversary of VE Day to remember the sacrifices made to win the Second World War.
In a packed Whitehall, scores of people watched as more than 100 veterans joined the Duke – a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot – senior politicians and military figures for the ceremony of thanksgiving and remembrance.
Among them was David Cameron, who laid a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph with Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg in their last major roles as party leaders following their post-election resignations.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon also laid a wreath, and defence secretary Philip Hammond and newly elected MP Boris Johnson also attended.
Among the veterans, who sat huddled with their families under umbrellas as rain pattered gently down, were six Chelsea Pensioners, their bright red overcoats a splash of colour under the leaden sky.
The Band of the Welsh Guards got events under way, playing music by Handel and Cresswell with The Buglers of the Royal Marines and Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force.
Veterans stood to attention as standard bearers from the Royal British Legion paraded around the Cenotaph.
Then, at 3pm – the moment Prime Minister Winston Churchill broadcast the news of the German surrender to the nation – saluting guns from The King’s Troop Royal Horse at Wellington Barracks Parade Square and The Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London rang out to mark the beginning of the two-minute silence.