Royal family member Sarah Ferguson participates alongside King Charles III in commemorating a significant milestone
In honor of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, King Charles and his royal peers paid heartfelt tributes to the War War II veterans and celebrated the indomitable spirit of those who bravely fought for our freedom.
On this historic occasion, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, shared an emotional message on Instagram, dedicating it to the veterans and heroes who made unimaginable sacrifices during World War Two. Sharing two poignant black and white photos, she wrote, "Today, on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we pause to remember the extraordinary courage, sacrifice and spirit of those who fought for our freedom."
"We all owe them a debt that can never truly be repaid, but we honor their memory by living with kindness, resilience and hope. Lest we forget."
The emotional statement from Sarah Ferguson comes amidst the king and senior royals' heartwarming tributes to veterans and forces in several memorable events held on this significant milestone. Among these tributes, King Charles' speech at Horse Guards Parade stood out, as he urged the world to learn from history and work towards unity and peace.
During a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, King Charles joined Prime Minister Keir Starmer and around 78 veterans, many of them extremely elderly, in a national service of thanksgiving. After the service, the King and senior royals took time to meet veterans, showing personal warmth by actions like William placing his hand on a veteran’s shoulder and Kate holding hands with a woman in a wheelchair.
On May 5, King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royal family in watching a military procession from the Queen Victoria Memorial, honoring those who bravely served in WWII. Following the parade, the royals gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony to behold a festive aerial flypast alongside veterans and other dignitaries. As head of the Armed Forces and a veteran himself, King Charles saluted the troops during this event.
On the evening of the 80th anniversary, King Charles delivered a televised speech at the VE Day concert held at Horse Guards Parade in London. He emphasized global peace and unity, echoing his grandfather's words and quoting Winston Churchill's preference for dialogue over war. His speech also acknowledged the difficult context for Ukraine, which continues to face conflict despite ceasefire promises.
These tributes encompassed solemn remembrance of veterans, public military honors, and a call for peace, reflecting both historical respect and contemporary global concerns, as the royal family paid tribute to the sacrifices made by World War II heroes and urged for a brighter future.
- "Duchess Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, also joined in the commemoration, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram in honor of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, acknowledging the sacrifices made by War War II veterans."
- "In the midst of these tributes, King Charles delivered a moving speech at the VE Day concert, advocating for global peace and unity, echoing the words of Winston Churchill and expressing concern for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine."
- "King Charles' speech was just one of the many tributes paid by the royal family during this milestone, with the entertainment industry also participating, pausing to celebrate the bravery and resilience of those who fought for our freedom."
- "Celebrities from around the world took part in the VE Day concert, paying homage to the veterans and heroes who made unimaginable sacrifices during World War Two, as King Charles underscored the importance of their memory."
- "Facing a long line of veterans, King Charles and other senior royals offered their personal gestures of gratitude, such as William placing his hand on a veteran’s shoulder and Kate holding hands with a woman in a wheelchair, showing genuine empathy and understanding."
- "As the world marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, King Charles and his family, alongside global entertainment celebrities, honor the sacrifices made by the Duchess, Ferguson, and others during World War Two, striving for a world where peace and unity are maintained in the spirit of those heroes."
