King Charles will make a historic address to the nation next week as he honours the thousands of British soldiers who perished for our freedom during the Second World War.
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The King is set to deliver a historic speech marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, when allied forces triumphantly celebrated victory over Japan and brought the Second World War to its conclusion.
King Charles will mirror the sentiments of his grandfather, King George VI, who honoured the thousands of British servicemen who gave their lives for our liberty on August 15, 1945.
Charles will present an audio message, to be issued by Buckingham Palace, on the morning of next Friday’s anniversary.
Sources reveal the King has personally crafted the statement, eager to acknowledge the “duty and sacrifice of our greatest generation”.
(Image: PA)
The King spearheaded the nation three months ago during the VE Day commemorations, when 80 years previously in 1945, Britain and its allies rejoiced in defeating Nazi oppression following six years of conflict which left Europe teetering on the edge of ruin, reports the Mirror.
On August 15, 1945, King George VI addressed the nation to announce the dawn of a fresh chapter for Britain and Europe, declaring: “Japan has surrendered, so let us join in thanking Almighty God that war has ended throughout the world, and that in every country men may now turn their industry, skill, and science to repairing its frightful devastation and to building prosperity and happiness.
“Our sense of deliverance is overpowering, and with it all, we have a right to feel that we have done our duty. I ask you again at this solemn hour to remember all who have laid down their lives, and all who have endured the loss of those they love.”
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
George also took a moment to acknowledge the grief felt even by our adversaries, following the devastation Hitler’s war machine inflicted across Europe and subsequently Asia through Japan’s participation in the conflict.
As part of nationwide commemorations next week, the nation will observe two minutes’ silence to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Numerous commemorative events have been arranged, with a remembrance service scheduled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on August 15, featuring a 400-strong military contingent, a Red Arrows display and historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Coordinated alongside the Royal British Legion (RBL), the remembrance ceremony will welcome Second World War veterans. The event will also include representatives from VJ associations, senior politicians, and military leaders, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Tom Berry, a 101 year old Second World War veteran and RBL ambassador from Cheshire, who served aboard HMS Tartar during Japan’s capitulation, remarked: “For veterans like me and all those who carried on fighting until VJ Day was announced, this will be a very emotional day – a moment in history.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is urging citizens to remain at home and watch the ceremony on television. He stated: “I’ll be watching the service at home, and I’d ask the country to do the same – to stop and remember all those who gave so much for our freedoms, and those who never made it back.”
As part of this year’s commemorations, the 76 year old King travelled to Poland in January to mark 80 years since Auschwitz-Birkenau’s liberation.
The monarch declared “the act of remembering the evils of the past remains a vital task” whilst meeting Holocaust survivors in Poland.
King Charles, then Prince of Wales and Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, observe a minute’s silence during the VJ Day National Remembrance event at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, on August 15, 2020 in Alrewas, England(Image: 2020 WPA Pool/Getty)
Whilst VE Day on 8th May 1945 signalled the end of European warfare, the battle against Japanese forces across Asia and the Pacific raged on for another three months, with thousands of British and Commonwealth soldiers still engaged.
Throughout four days of London commemorations, King Charles received some of the final surviving WWII veterans alongside their families at Buckingham Palace for a special ceremony honouring their sacrifice.
At a Horse Guards Parade concert, he reinforced his grandfather’s sentiments, declaring: “His words echo down through history as all this week, and especially today, we unite to celebrate and remember with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible. While our greatest debt is owed to all those who paid the ultimate price, we should never forget how the war changed the lives of virtually everyone.”
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Buckingham Palace is collaborating extensively with the government on numerous special events next week to mark the occasion, representing one of the final major anniversaries alongside survivors of the war’s atrocities. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated: “Those who continued to fight bravely in Asia and the Pacific in those last few months of the Second World War must never be forgotten. It is so important for us as a nation to come together on this important anniversary to remember our VJ Day veterans and hear their stories first-hand so we can ensure that their legacy is passed on to future generations and their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
Defence Minister John Healey remarked: “VJ Day was the final victory in a war that changed the world, and we honour those who served in the Far East with enduring gratitude. Just as we proudly marked VE Day, we reflect on the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many to secure peace. Their legacy must never be forgotten, and it’s our duty to pass their stories on to future generations.”