King Charles honours veterans at VJ Day 80th anniversary ceremony

The King and Queen join World War II veterans at a remembrance service to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.

King Charles honours veterans at VJ Day 80th anniversary ceremony

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender that ended World War II in the Far East. About 33 veterans, aged between 96 and 105, were guests of honour and were invited to the ceremony after serving in forces across the Far East and Pacific. The couple laid wreaths as the RAF Red Arrows performed a flypast and the nation observed a two-minute silence. The event featured moving accounts from veterans and civilians affected by the war, and the King released an audio message praising their courage and sacrifice.

The ceremony linked history to the present by recalling personal experiences from the conflict and emphasising the ongoing duty to remember those who served. Held at a site dedicated to military sacrifice, the service also highlighted the role of living veterans in keeping memory alive as new generations learn about the war’s impact and consequences.

The royal participation signals how memory is curated in public life. By mounting a formal remembrance with a shared national ritual, the monarchy underlines continuity and commitment at a time when the generation of veterans is shrinking. The flypast and silent tribute provide ceremonial weight, while personal testimonies ground the ceremony in lived experience. Yet the emphasis on pageantry risks crowding out quieter forms of remembrance that happen in schools, museums, and homes. As veterans age, the event reminds a broad audience that history requires active engagement, not just ceremonial memory.

Highlights

Memory endures through everyday acts of service and education.