Despite limitations, the continent devastated by the coronavirus on Friday marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

The anniversary of Nazi Germany's 1945 unconditional surrender after a war that cost 50 million lives is a holiday in European countries. Royals and world leaders paid tribute to the veterans and the day.

Queen Elizabeth led tributes to veterans of World War II recalling the“never give up, never despair” message of the VE Day 75 years ago. In a televised address, the 94-year-old monarch said those who had served during the conflict with Nazi Germany would admire how their descendants were coping with the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the virus.

"When I look at our country today and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride, that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognize and admire," she said.

The day which should have been filled with parades and street parties is dampened by social distancing policies. But flags and banners still fluttered across Britain, and people stuck at home due to the lockdown enjoyed a day of special television and radio programs.

Britain paid tribute to the war generation with flypasts, a two-minute silence, and the broadcast of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill's speech to mark the anniversary of victory in Europe.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson invoked the "heroism of countless ordinary people" in his tribute to the millions of Britons who fought and lived through the war.

"Today we must celebrate their achievement, and we remember their sacrifice," Johnson said in a national address. "We are a free people because of everything our veterans did – we offer our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks and our solemn pledge: you will always be remembered."

There were commemorations too across the water in France, where President Emmanuel Macron held the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin invoked the wartime Allies' cooperation in telegrams to U.S. President Donald Trump, with Britain's Johnson and others suggesting they should rekindle such togetherness for today's problems.

In Germany – where Nazism, the Holocaust and the devastation of war still shape identity and politics – Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid wreaths at Berlin's Memorial to the Victims of War.

The U.S. President Donald Trump hold a phone call with Merkel, both agreeing that it was important to keep the memory of the war and its horrors alive. Merkel emphasized the special importance of U.S. support for Germany after WWII and the deep ties between the two countries that developed after.

The address by Britain's queen came exactly 75 years after her father George VI gave a victory speech over the radio to the nation.

Since becoming queen 68 years ago, this was only the sixth time that the queen had made a special broadcast other than in her annual Christmas Day message, but her VE Day speech was the second such address since the coronavirus outbreak.

Last month, she invoked the spirit of World War Two, calling for the public to show the same resolve and echoing the words of the song "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn which became a symbol of hope for Britons during the conflict.

The queen's message to the nation spoke of how the outlook that seemed bleak at the start of the war may resonate with people today.

"The end distant, the outcome uncertain," she said. "Never give up, never despair – that was the message of VE Day."

(with inputs from agencies)