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King Charles and Queen Camilla are attending a service of remembrance on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day
The King, 76, and Queen, 78, joined Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other officials at the event
VJ Day is observed in the U.K. each year on Aug. 15 and the King released an audio message to commemorate the landmark anniversary

King Charles and Queen Camilla are remembering the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

On Aug. 15, the King, 76, and Queen, 78, stepped out to attend a national Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on the 80th anniversary of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day.

VJ Day commemorates the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II in 1945, and is observed annually in the U.K. on Aug. 15.

The royal couple joined veterans, members of VJ associations, military personnel and senior politicians at the service in Staffordshire, which was hosted by the Royal British Legion and the government. King Charles appeared in his post as patron of the Royal British Legion, the U.K.’s largest charity dedicated to supporting members of the British military, veterans and their families.

King Charles and Queen Camilla.Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty 

The King and Queen, who was dressed in all white, were greeted at the event by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the National President and Chair of the Royal British Legion, and passed a Guard of Honor as they approached the Armed Forces Memorial.

King Charles at the service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England on Aug. 15, 2025.Alastair Grant-WPA Pool/Getty 

There, King Charles laid a wreath and Queen Camilla laid a posey, before other officials laid wreaths.

A national two-minute silence was held on the landmark anniversary, which concluded with a flypast by the Red Arrows of the Royal Air Force.

The King and Queen then moved to meet veterans and other guests for the Service of Remembrance to honor those who served in the Far East and Pacific during WWII, a global conflict which shook the world from 1939 to 1945.

Another flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of historic aircraft closed the program on a soaring note.

The service — which was also attended by the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer — took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England on Aug. 15, 2025.Anthony Devlin/Getty 

From there, the King is due to view memorials and meet members of VJ associations, before he and the Queen attend a reception for VJ veterans and their families organized by the Royal British Legion.

On Friday morning, Buckingham Palace released a pre-recorded audio message from King Charles, whose treatment for cancer continues, to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

His address echoed a broadcast made by his grandfather, King George VI, and he emphasized in the speech that those who fought and died in the Pacific and the Far East “shall never be forgotten.”

Earlier in the day, an address made by King Charles — recorded at Clarence House in London — was released.Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty 

In it, Charles praised the ever-decreasing number of veterans and their loved ones for their service of eight decades ago. “So to the families of all those who served, and to that sadly dwindling band of veterans among us still, please know that the courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity’s darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity – a beacon that honors our past and guides our future.”

And conjuring up memories of his own grandfather George VI who spoke 80 years ago at the end of the war. He said, “The war is over’, declared my Grandfather, King George VI, in his address to the nation and Commonwealth on V.J. Day 80 years ago today – four short words after six long years of bloodshed, fear and suffering.”

“Seldom can a simple message have resonated with such a potent mix of relief, celebration, and sorrow for those who never lived to see the glow of freedom’s new dawn,” the message continued.

The Red Arrows flew over the memorial as part of the commemorations on Aug. 15, 2025.Christopher Furlong/Getty 

“On this day of profound remembrance, I speak to you in that same spirit of commemoration and celebration as we honor anew all those whose service and sacrifice saw the forces of liberty prevail.”

The King also referred to the suffering of the cities under the dropping of the first atomic bombs in the last weeks of the war.

“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,” Charles said.

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s attendance at the Service of Remembrance continues the royal family’s appearances around the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

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On Aug. 12, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh met 105-year-old Royal Marines veteran Jim Wren before the anniversary, and then attended a service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle with her husband, Prince Edward, on Aug. 15.

Another royal couple, Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, also headed out to attend two services for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

King Charles’ cousin and his wife, who are both full-time working royals, began the day at the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral. Later, they moved to a service dedicated to the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk.

There is one more event relating to the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on the royal family’s calendar, as a palace statement said there will be a reception for veterans at Windsor Castle in the autumn.