Commemorative speeches delivered by King Charles III on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day
King Charles III led commemorations for World War II veterans and those who lived through the devastating conflict on Friday, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. The solemn tribute served as a reminder of the courage and sacrifice exhibited by veterans and civilians who helped bring the war to an end.
In the United Kingdom, the commemorations included a National Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. King Charles, Queen Camilla, military personnel, and WWII veterans aged 96 to 105 attended the service, honouring those lost in the final months of the war in the Far East and those still serving.
A military tribute was held with 400 members of the Armed Forces forming a guard of honour, supported by military bands. The commemorations were marked by a national two-minute silence at noon, flypasts featuring the Red Arrows and WWII-era Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, and dawn performances of lament by military bagpipers at multiple locations across the UK.
King Charles delivered a recorded message, highlighting the ongoing relevance of WWII lessons for current global conflicts and the importance of vigilance in upholding the values secured through sacrifice. He linked World War II with "conflicts around the world today", arguing that war's true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life.
Keir Starmer, the UK's Prime Minister, held a special reception for WWII veterans at Downing Street ahead of the commemorations. He told the gathered veterans that their country owes a great debt to those who fought for a better future. Starmer urged that the sacrifice of WWII veterans should be honoured with every new generation.
In Japan, while official commemorations were not detailed, the significance of the day was inherently recognized, marking Japan’s surrender in WWII. The UK's observance explicitly acknowledged the atomic bombings and urged remembrance of the heavy toll borne by citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, underscoring a hope for peace and avoidance of such devastation in the future.
Among the veterans at the service were 33 individuals who served in East Asia and the Pacific. Army veteran Owen Filer, aged 103, read a dedication during the televised ceremony. Charles met some of the veterans at the Arboretum before joining them at a reception, where he vowed that the "service and sacrifice" of those who fought in World War II will "never be forgotten".
This year's VJ Day commemorations, led by King Charles III, combined remembrance, tribute, solemn reflection on war’s true costs, and a call for continued commitment to peace, marked by formal ceremonies and military honours in the UK and contextual recognition of Japan’s pivotal role in ending the war.
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