King Charles and Queen Camilla led a poignant ceremony in London to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the Far East during World War II.
The royal couple attended a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where they laid a wreath in honour of the fallen. Veterans, many now in their late 90s, were present to mark the occasion, their service medals glinting in the sunlight.
A Nation Remembers
The event was a solemn reminder of the often-overlooked Far East campaign, where thousands of British and Commonwealth troops endured brutal conditions as prisoners of war or in combat against Japanese forces.
"We gather to remember those who never came home, and to honour those who did," said King Charles in a moving address. "Their courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship must never be forgotten."
The Human Cost of War
The ceremony highlighted the particular suffering of Far East prisoners of war, who faced starvation, disease and forced labour on projects like the infamous Burma Railway. Queen Camilla was seen speaking at length with several veterans, listening intently to their wartime experiences.
The commemorations included:
- A two-minute silence observed nationwide
- Flypast by historic aircraft
- Readings from veterans' diaries
- Performance of period songs by military bands
Keeping History Alive
With the number of surviving WW2 veterans dwindling each year, events like this take on added significance. Organisers stressed the importance of passing these stories to younger generations.
"My grandfather served in Burma," said one attendee. "Coming here today helps me understand what he went through - things he could never bring himself to talk about."
The day concluded with beacon lightings across the UK, mirroring the celebrations that swept the nation on August 15, 1945, when news of Japan's surrender finally brought the Second World War to an end.
