The King and Queen were visibly moved to tears at a service of remembrance marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. Held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the ceremony honoured those who fought and died in the War in the Far East and Pacific, featuring flypasts, a two-minute silence, and first-hand testimony from veterans.
Captain Yavar Abbas of the 11th Sikh Regiment went off script to salute the King, praising him for attending despite undergoing treatment for cancer. He said the King's presence ensured that his grandfather's 14th Army would never again be called the 'forgotten army'. The tribute drew applause from guests, with Queen Camilla's eyes red from crying. The King later stood to clasp hands with the captain, and the two greeted each other like old friends at a reception.
The service began with a Guard of Honour and a drum-laying ceremony to Elgar's Nimrod, followed by the National Anthem. The King, wearing a Field Marshal Number 4 uniform, and the Queen inspected the Guard of Honour and laid wreaths at the memorial steps. The Prime Minister, Admiral Sir Antony Radakin, and Vice Admiral Paul Bennett also laid wreaths before joining 33 VJ veterans and their families in the Royal Box.
Testimonies from prisoners of war recalled the horrors endured under the Japanese army. Mohammed Ghani concluded his account with the words: 'Never walk with anger, let calmness lead the way.' As veteran John Harlow's testimony was read by actor Anton Lesser, the camera showed him holding back tears, and the King appeared to wipe away a tear.
The Red Arrows left a trail of red, white and blue, and violinist Jennifer Pike performed The Lark Ascending as dancers waved white doves. A flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight drew the service to a close. The King then viewed memorials including the Burma Star and Chindit memorials before reuniting with the Queen at a reception for veterans and their families.
