The King and Queen were moved to tears by the powerful first-hand testimony of VJ veterans as they spoke at a service of remembrance this afternoon marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
Charles and Camilla were attending the Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire organised by the Royal British Legion in what made for a moving tribute to war heroes, where they were joined by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
It included two Fly Pasts, a two-minute silence, musical interludes and testimony from survivors of the so-called Forgotten War.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also shared a powerful message on social media, but were not present at today’s events – after the King addressed the nation to tell how the sacrifice of heroes would never be forgotten.
Their Majesties led the nation’s commemorations as they watched the moving memorial alongside veterans, members of VJ associations, military personnel and senior politicians at the event, which was held in 25C sunshine this afternoon.
They listened to the The Last Post before the silence at 12pm, and the nation heard from 101-year-old former RAF Pilot Ron Gumbley, who read the poem ‘For The Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon.
The ceremony resumed with readings from veterans, and music from military bands and choirs – as well as a tribute from actress Celia Imrie – which all appeared to spur an emotional response from their Majesties.
But it was Captain Yavar Abbas who stole the show, after he went ‘briefly off-script’ to salute ‘my brave King’ for attending despite ongoing cancer treatment.
The 104-year-old said that he himself had been ‘rid of it for 25 years and counting’, before reading an except from his war diary, which he wrote while serving in the 11th Sikh regiment of the British Indian Army.
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The King and Queen appeared visibly emotional after a veteran went ‘off-script’ to salute the monarch during the VJ Day service today
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Captain Yavar Abbas (pictured) went ‘briefly off-script’ to salute ‘my brave King’ for attending despite ongoing cancer treatment
‘Before I read the excerpt, I make an apology for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King,’ he said, as the camera panned to show Charles and Camilla.
Captain Abbas continued: ‘Who is here with his beloved Queen, in spite of the fact he’s under treatment for cancer, which I share with him, and if it provides comfort, of which I have been rid for the past 25 years and counting.
‘And I salute him, for gracing this occasion because by his presence here, he has gone a long way to make sure that his grandad’s 14th army is never given the sobriquet again of a Forgotten Army.’
Following applause, and reading from a diary entry dated February 8, 1945, he said: ‘Tomorrow, I hope I will live to do better things.
‘I could have been dead twice before, but I’m still living. I would be surprised if I get a life for a third time. May god spare me.’
His comments were met with applause from the guests, while Camilla’s eyes were red from crying.
As he returned to the Royal Box, Mr Abbas saluted the King once more, who stood to chat to the veteran, clasping his hands.
They spoke for almost a minute before saluting each other and returning to their seats.
When they were reunited at a reception for veterans later that afternoon, they greeted each other like old friends.
Elsewhere today, Charles and Camilla joined the Prime Minister to lay wreaths and floral tributes at the Armed Forces Memorial, before leading a national two-minute silence and a flypast from the RAF Red Arrows.
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The King and Queen appeared visibly emotional as they joined Sir Keir Starmer and veterans at a service marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day today
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The 104-year-old said that he himself had been ‘rid of it for 25 years and counting’, before reading an except from his war diary
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The King even appeared to wipe at his eye following John Harlow’s testimony – who was himself moved to tears
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The Queen meanwhile was seen bringing a tissue to her eye during the moving service
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (left), King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for the national Service of Remembrance
The Queen lay a posy, including jasmine, marigold, orchids, tropical orchid, yellow trumpet, hibiscus, vanda miss orchid, rhododendron and golden wattle.
Towards the end of the memorial, there was also a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of historic aircraft including a Lancaster – after which the King and Queen were seen giving applause.
Her Majesty was wearing a white pleated chiffon dress by Dior and a white Philip Treacy hat. She was also wearing The Rifles brooch, of which Her Majesty is Colonel-in-Chief, while the King wore The Stone Field Marshal Number 4 uniform.
Shortly before noon, the arrival of a Guard of Honour marked the start of the ceremony, followed by a drum laying ceremony while The Bands of the Royal Marines Portsmouth played Elgar’s Nimrod.
The National Anthem signalled the arrival of the King, wearing the stone Field Marshall Number 4 uniform, and the Queen, who inspected the Guard of Honour before laying wreaths at the foot of the memorial steps.The Prime Minister, Admiral Sir Antony Radakin and Vice Admiral Paul Bennett also laid wreaths before making their way to their seats in the Royal Box to join the 33 VJ veterans and their families.
Sheltered from the heat by a canopy, they had a direct view of the hour-long service, paying tribute to those who continued to fight for three long months after victory had been declared in Europe.
For decades, veterans family members of those who died have been campaigning for the VJ heroes to be given the same recognition as those who fought the Nazis in Europe.
The hour-long service then got underway, which saw the jets of the Red Arrows leave a trail of red, white and blue in the skies above and was hosted by actress Celia Imrie.
The 1,500 guests stood to observe the national two-minute’s silence, many removing their hats and bowing their heads as they reflected on those who fought and died during the War in the Far East and Pacific.
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The King and Queen have today joined Sir Keir Starmer and veterans at a service marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day
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The Queen lay a posy, including jasmine, marigold, orchids, tropical orchid, yellow trumpet, hibiscus, vanda miss orchid, rhododendron and golden wattle
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) lays a wreath during a national service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas
The only sound that could be heard was that of pigeons ruffling in the trees above.
Guests sat in the midday sun, many moving their seats back in search of shade and sheltering under white RBL umbrellas, as they listened to moving first-hand testimony from VJ veterans.
This included the heartbreaking testimony of prisoners of war, who recalled the horrors they endured at the hands of the Japanese army. Mohammed Ghani concluded his testimony by saying: ‘Never walk with anger, let calmness lead the way.’
As John Harlow’s testimony was read by actor Anton Lesser, the camera showed the veteran, sitting next to the Queen, holding back tears as he listened to his story. The King appeared to wipe away a tear.
Towards the end of the service, celebrated violinist Jennifer Pike MBE performed The Lark Ascending at the top of the memorial, dancers performed at the bottom, waving white doves on long flag poles.
The roar of the Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight drew the service to a close.
Charles then headed to view the memorials, including the Burma Star Memoirla and the Chanid Memoiral, before reuniting with his wife at a reception for VJ veterans and their families.
They spent almost an hour moving from table to table separately and chatting with the veterans who served in the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories and their families.
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King Charles III arriving for the national Service of Remembrance, hosted by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the Government
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Britain’s King Charles III (R) and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L)
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The King and Queen and PM Keir Starmer sit with veterans at a Service of Remembrance
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The Prime Minister was also joined by his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer
On the first table, the King cracked jokes and said he was concerned for those who had to sit in direct sunlight during the service.
Speaking to the family of 100-year-old RAF veteran Trevor Taylor, the King asked: ‘Have you had to come from a long way away? Bradford? I hope you’re not driving as somebody cannot have a drink.’
He then asked if they were ok after sitting in the midday sun, ‘I was very worried about you all sitting out, it was incredibly hot in the sun. You couldn’t put an umbrella up?’
Mr Taylor then enquired after the Queen, but the King pointed her out at a nearby table and said: ‘She’s here, she’s there.
‘You’ll have to send her my love,’ he said, to which the King responded: ‘I will.’
Charles was handed a couple of tea when he arrived on the third table, where he asked if Royal Marine veteran John Eskdale, 100, had ever encountered his great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten.
As Supreme Allied Commander in South East Asia, he oversaw the recapture of Burma from the Japanese.
The King asked: ‘And you didn’t come across my Great uncle lord mountbatten? I’ve heard a lot of stories about him.’
Meanwhile, the Queen was discussing the service with Edwin Habberley and said, ‘I found it so incredibly moving.’
The monarch was then reunited with Mr Abbas, who served as a combat camerman, and they stood clasping hands for 40 seconds before taking their seats.
The King told him: ‘I can just remember by grandfather, but only just. I was told all the stories about Burma by my great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten. I learned a great deal from him.’
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Queen Camilla during the national Service of Remembrance, hosted by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the Government
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Her Majesty was wearing a white pleated chiffon dress by Dior and a white Philip Treacy hat
Speaking afterwards, Mr Abbas said: ‘Today, I make no apology for going off the script. If it upset their schedule, no I don’t think it affected their schedule, I think it improved their schedule.’
Asked why it was important for him to say what he did, he said: ‘I admire the man, I admire the King, he has similar views about things that I have, about the enviornment for example. He’s human.’
I admire him for the man that he is. When I went up to him and spoke to him, he said something very touching to me. He said ‘I am very grateful to you, I admire you for what you said. Thank you very much. He said to me: ‘I almost cried.’ And that’s our King, he’s a great King.’
Charles’s most poignant words came when chatting to Charlie Richards, 104, one of the last surviving Chindits, a unit that fought deep behind enemy lines in Burma between autumn 1942 and summer 1943.’The things you did, I could never get over,’ the monarch told him. ‘We owe you all such a huge debt of gratitude.’
On his way out, the King met Alfred Conway, 100, who served on HMS Wager, the sister ship to HMS Whelp, on which Prince Philip served as First Lieutenant.
Alongside Philip, Mr Conway sailed to the Far East and served in Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Australia, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
They spoke for several minutes before the King and Queen departed in the State Bentley, waving to those gathered as they left.
In a moving audio message released earlier today, echoing one broadcast by his grandfather, King George VI, eighty years ago, Charles described how those who lived and died in the Far East ‘gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected’.
The message was recorded earlier this month, in the Morning Room at Clarence House.
The King, who is Patron of the Royal British Legion, issued a stark warning about the ‘true cost’ of armed conflict in his moving address to the nation marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
His Majesty also hailed the ‘courage and camaraderie’ of heroes who fought in the Pacific and Far East in ‘humanity’s darkest hour’ as ‘a flame that shall blaze for eternity’.
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There was a flypast from the Red Arrows with red, white and blue smoke
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The King saluted the heroes during the service of remembrance in what made for a powerful image
Queen Camilla’s posy
While Charles lay a wreath, the Queen had a posy containing symbolic flowers: Jasmine, Marigold, Orchids, Tropical orchid, Yellow trumpet, Hibiscus, Vanda Miss orchid, Rhododendron, Golden Wattle
Jasmine which is representative of Pakistan as well as India.
Marigold – Used widely across India and Nepal the Marigold is used for celebrations, whilst Mexican culture links this with the remembrance of the dead (during Day of the Dead), symbolic for remembering and commemorating our lost loved ones.
Orchids – Growing in almost every part of the world, the orchid is versatile in cold and hot temperatures representative of the diverse countries involved in the war. It is also heavily seen across the far east as the city flower of Shaoxing, China and the national flower of Singapore.
Tropical orchid – is national flower of Kenya (East Africa)
Yellow trumpet – National flower of Nigeria (West Africa) using the yellow yellow lilt for is vibrancy
Hibiscus – Malaysian national flower
Vanda Miss orchid – The Singapore orchid
Rhododendron – National flower of Nepal
Golden Wattle – Australia’s national flower
And he acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan‘s surrender, describing the ‘immense price’ on its citizens as one ‘we pray no nation need ever pay again’.
His reflection on the nuclear attacks, which paved the way for the end of the Second World War, comes at a time of increased concern about the global threat of nuclear conflict.
In an audio message to the nation, realms and Commonwealth, the King spoke of the horrors faced by allied prisoners of war ‘who endured years of brutal captivity: the starvation, disease and cruelty that tested the very limits of human endurance’, and the ‘mental and physical scars’ the war left on those who survived.
And he vowed the service and sacrifice of VJ Day heroes ‘shall never be forgotten’, telling their families and the ‘sadly dwindling band of veterans’: ‘Please know that the courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity’s darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity – a beacon that honours our past and guides our future.’
The King, in what is believed to be the most direct reference by a British monarch to the suffering in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, said it was right to pause and acknowledge the impact of the ‘war’s final act’ on the people of the Japanese cities.
‘Innocent civilian populations of occupied territories faced grievous hardships, too,’ he said in the broadcast released at 7.30am today.
‘Their experience reminds us that war’s true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life – a tragedy all-too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today.
‘On this landmark anniversary, we should also pause to acknowledge that in the war’s final act, an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – a price we pray no nation need ever pay again.’
He added: ‘But in recalling so much suffering, we must not lose sight of how great was the cause and how sweet the victory.’
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Today, the King wore The Stone Field Marshal Number 4 uniform
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King Charles III looks on as he attends the national Service of Remembrance, hosted by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the Government
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Her Majesty was wearing a white pleated chiffon dress by Dior and a white Philip Treacy hat while the King wore The Stone Field Marshal Number 4 uniform
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The King was seen laying a wreath, before the two-minute silence at 12pm
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Their Majesties joined veterans, members of VJ associations, military personnel and senior politicians for the event
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King Charles III, Royal British Legion National President Vice Admiral Paul Bennett, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Queen Camilla
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The King led the nation’s commemorations for VJ Day today
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The King and Queen were not today joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales
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The couple laid wreaths and floral tributes at the Armed Forces Memorial
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The King and Queen led the two-minute silence after hearing The Last Post
Later on Friday, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared their own message on social media to mark VJ Day.
William and Kate, both 43, this morning praised the ‘courage, sacrifice, and resilience’ of those who fought in the Pacific and Far East on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
In a message posted on social media and signed with their initials, the royal couple wrote: ‘Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice and resilience of all who served.
‘Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific.
‘We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful.
‘Lest we forget. W & C’.
The National Service of Remembrance honours and remembers those who continued to fight and those who lost their lives during the final three months of the Second World War in the Far East.
This includes hundreds of thousands of soldiers who served alongside British Armed Forces from countries including pre-partition India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Nepal and various African nations. Victory over Japan (VJ Day) was declared on 15 August 1945, following Imperial Japan’s surrender to Allied Forces.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a powerful message to social media to mark VJ Day (pictured at a service of thanksgiving for VE Day in May)
William and Kate, both 43, this morning praised the ‘courage, sacrifice, and resilience’ of those who fought in the Pacific and Far East
The service, run in partnership with the Royal British Legion, was also attended by Burma Star recipients, a veteran of the British Indian Army and those involved in the Battles of Kohima and Imphal, as well as Prisoners of War held across the region and veterans stationed in the UK or Commonwealth countries, who contributed to the war effort.
The royals were joined by the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, Parliamentarians, the Japanese Ambassador and other High Commissioners from across the Commonwealth.
A special tribute was hosted by 400 members of the Armed Forces, including a guard of honour from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, with music provided by military bands. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will lead a flypast featuring the historic Dakota, Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft.
The event will be broadcast live on BBC One, and members of the public are encouraged to participate in the national two-minute silence at midday.
From 9pm on Friday evening, hundreds of buildings across the country will be lit up to mark VJ 80, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Tower42, The Shard, Blackpool Tower, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Durham Cathedral, Cardiff Castle, the Cenotaph, the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore and the White Cliffs of Dover.
