Silence fell across London at 11am this morning to commemorate the end of war in Europe in 1945.
Veterans and members of the public, unable to gather by their local war memorials as normal, quietly reflected in their own homes.
Friday marks 75 years since the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany's surrender.
And while the Covid-19 lockdown makes huge gatherings like those of 1945 impossible, commemorations are taking place at home and online across the UK.
The RAF staged flypasts across the country, with the Red Arrows soaring through the sky above Buckingham Palace and the London Eye and Typhoon fighter jets flying over Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
The anniversary will also be marked with virtual street parties and a national sing-a-long to Dame Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again.
Yui Mok/PA Wire
In a special message broadcast on the Royal British Legion's livestream on Friday morning, Dame Vera gave her thanks to the wartime generation.
The message, read by actress Lesley Sharp, said: "As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war, what a perfect opportunity for me to say thank you to everyone who did their bit to help us fight for freedom.
"Not only our wonderful air force, navy and army, but all the munitions workers in factories, those who broke the codes, the land girls and everyone else in the country."
In a letter to veterans, the Prime Minister assured them that despite the ongoing lockdown, their efforts to defeat a "ruthless enemy" would not be forgotten.
We will always remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice #VEDay #VEDay75 #LestWeForget @rafredarrows captured from our helipad by @dralisanders pic.twitter.com/nqh6FZQSwm
— London's Air Ambulance Charity (@LDNairamb) May 8, 2020
Boris Johnson said: "On this anniversary, we are engaged in a new struggle against the coronavirus which demands the same spirit of national endeavour that you exemplified 75 years ago.
“We cannot pay our tribute with the parades and street celebrations we enjoyed in the past; your loved ones may be unable to visit in person," he said in the letter.
"But please allow us, your proud compatriots, to be the first to offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered."
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