King Charles and Queen Camilla were visibly moved during a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Thursday, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. The event, attended by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and around 30 veterans who served in the Far East, included a two-minute silence at noon.
Captain Yavar Abbas, a 104-year-old veteran of the 11th Sikh Regiment, went off script to salute the King, who is undergoing cancer treatment. 'I salute him for attending this occasion,' Abbas said, drawing applause. 'By his presence here he has gone a long way to make sure that his Grandad’s 14th army is never given the sobriquet of the forgotten army.' The Queen's eyes were red from crying as Abbas spoke of their shared experience with cancer.
In his address, King Charles spoke of the 'vital lesson' that can be learned from the service and sacrifice of Second World War heroes, particularly amid today's conflicts. He read a message originally delivered by his grandfather, King George VI, on VJ Day 1945, declaring 'the war is over'.
Poet Sir Ben Okri read a tribute to Commonwealth soldiers who fought in Burma, reciting names of those who volunteered. Edward Hadfield, 100, who served in the 8th Punjab Regiment, recalled hearing the news of Japan's surrender: 'You’ve never heard such a cheer in your life.'
VJ Day marks Japan's surrender to the Allies, ending the Second World War. The 80th anniversary ceremony highlighted the diminishing number of surviving veterans, underscoring the importance of remembering their sacrifice.
