80th Anniversary of VJ Day

On the morning of VJ Day, His Majesty The King delivered an audio message to mark the historic anniversary.

The King said:

In recalling so much suffering, we must not lose sight of how great was the cause and how sweet the victory. For those heroes of V.J. Day gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected.

Read His Majesty's message in full here.

The King and Queen later attended the Service of Remembrance, hosted by the Royal British Legion in partnership with government, at the National Memorial Arboretum. 

A national two-minute silence was concluded with a flypast from the RAF Red Arrows.

Their Majesties joined veterans and other guests to honour those who served in the Far East and the Pacific during the Second World War. 

A flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of historic aircraft drew the service to a close.

Following the service, The King viewed memorials and met members of VJ associations, including the Burma Star Memorial Fund, The Chindit Society, Far East Prisoners of War and Children of Far East Prisoners of War, at the Far East Corner of the National Memorial Arboretum.

At a reception, Their Majesties, together with the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer, met around 30 veterans who served in the Far East during the Second World War for the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, accompanied by their families and carers.

The reception brought together veterans who served in the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories, those who were Prisoners of War in the region, and veterans stationed throughout the UK and Commonwealth who contributed to the war effort in the Far East.

Earlier in the week, The Duchess of Edinburgh spent time with Second World War veteran, Jim Wren, who was serving on HMS Repulse when he was captured and held in Sumatra until the end of the war. 

On VJ Day, today, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a service at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland.

Meanwhile, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral, before joining a second commemorative service dedicated to the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk. 

Events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day will conclude with a Reception for veterans at Windsor Castle later in the Autumn.