National commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day have been confirmed, including a Red Arrows display and a pre-recorded message from King Charles. The King will address the nation on Friday, August 15, alongside a national two-minute silence and an aerial display by the Red Arrows, Buckingham Palace announced.
VJ Day on August 15 marks the anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, effectively ending the Second World War. Charles’ pre-recorded audio message will be broadcast ahead of a service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, attended by the King and Queen, Second World War veterans, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The service, broadcast live by the BBC, will pay tribute to all those who served in the Asia-Pacific theatre, including Burma Star recipients, British Indian Army veterans, former prisoners of war, and those who fought in pivotal battles including Kohima and Imphal in India. The King and Queen will leave floral tributes, as will other senior figures.
The national two-minute silence will conclude with an aerial display by the Red Arrows, and the service will draw to a close with a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Afterwards, the King and Queen will attend a reception with Second World War veterans.
Elsewhere, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle, while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will join the congregation at the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral. Events will conclude with a reception for veterans at Windsor Castle later in the autumn.
