Unions Jacks fly at VE Day parade as Brits declare 'you shouldn't be embarrassed'

It was the moment we had all been waiting for - thousands of heads turned in unison as 13 of the soared over the crowd, painting the sky red, white and blue. A grey backdrop of stereotypical British weather had not dampened the spirits of patriots who travelled from across the country to witness the spectacle.

The Daily Express joined the throng near London's Trafalgar Square in the morning as families, couples and groups of friends arrived to witness the bank holiday celebrations. Some carried flags and the most dedicated dressers wore the colours of the Union Jack on waistcoats, wigs, jumpers - and even tights. Among those eager to witness the flypast was veteran David Simmons. He wore the beret of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, in which he served for 12 years.

The 66-year-old said: "It's always important to come and remember all those who fought during the war to make our country what it is now. This might be one of the last ones for some of the veterans."

Andrew and Georgina Murgatroyd also spoke of the importance of marking historical anniversaries. They had travelled from Wimbledon with flag-waving sons Harry, 7, and Jack, 5.

"We think it's good for the kids to have an understanding of today and to celebrate," said Georgina, 42. "If you don't remember the past, you make the same mistakes in the future."

She added: "The weather is classic English weather but it's been nice and chilled." Andrew, 41, said the 80th anniversary felt particularly poignant in light of recent events in .

His grandfather helped to manage a camp for prisoners of war during and his step-grandfather was captured by German forces in Greece.

Andrew recalled: "He used to say 'danke schön' at Christmas dinner and things like that, because he was so used to saying that to the guards when they brought him food."

Meanwhile, Sue and John Maher had travelled from Coventry with friends Steve and Eileen Hawthorn.

The cheerful foursome bought matching Union Jack bucket hats from a street seller for £10 each and planned to attend a party on board the HMS Belfast in the evening.

Sue, 74, said: "I was born a few years after the war, in 1951. It's just important, isn't it? 80 years. I get very nostalgic about it and I just wanted to mark it."

John, 75, added: "We're post-war babies but I've still got my rationing card. We knew a lot of old soldiers after the war.

"We're from Coventry which was one of the Blitz cities, so we grew up amongst all those survivors. We've got more affinity than perhaps the modern generation."

As the grey sky grew heavy with the threat of rain, the gates to The Mall finally opened at around 1.30pm and the crowd flooded onto the iconic ceremonial route.

Within minutes, the first military aircraft - a Lancaster Bomber - roared overhead. It was followed by others including a Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft flanked by two Typhoon jets.

The crowd became a sea of craned necks and smartphones held aloft as the aerial procession continued.

Finally, cheers went up as the Red Arrows appeared in perfect formation and soared overhead, towards Buckingham Palace and the waiting royals.

The breathtaking display was followed by applause and whoops as the coloured vapour trails faded. The first large drops of rain began to fall as people started to leave, as though Mother Nature had held back the shower out of respect for the occasion.

It was a day of solemn remembrance and gratitude for the sacrifices of all those who fought in the Second World War, and also one of shared national pride.

Twins Debbie Wheeler and Steve Gilbert, 54, wore a Union Jack hat and flag. Debbie said it was important to support such events and not be "embarrassed to be British". Steve added: "For anyone to give their life for us, it should never be forgotten."

Couple Lisa and Lee, who wore a red, white and blue waistcoat, said they felt the joyful atmosphere echoed a recent resurgence in patriotism and national pride.

Lee, 57, added: "There was a while where I think everyone lost a little bit of faith in the country but everyone's trying to now see it coming back."