King to warn that sacrifices of VJ Day veterans should 'never be forgotten'

The King will issue a warning that the sacrifices of the VJ Day veterans should "never be forgotten" as they "gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected".

In an audio message, due to be released on Friday morning to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in the Far East, King Charles will describe how the heroic actions of those sent to fight there and the brutal treatment of civilians "reminds us that war's true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life".

In what could be interpreted as him alluding to current world events and conflicts, he will emphasise the importance of international collaboration, saying that victory in 1945 demonstrated that "in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear but the arms you link".

The six-minute audio message to the Nation, Realms and Commonwealth to mark VJ Day, echoes the audio broadcast made by his grandfather, King George VI, which the King will reference.

He recorded it in the Morning Room at Clarence House earlier this month.

Victory over Japan (VJ Day) was declared on 15 August 1945, following Imperial Japan's surrender to Allied Forces.

With Victory in Europe (VE Day) declared in May 1945, some have felt that historically VJ Day has been overlooked, undervaluing the sacrifices of those who continued to fight on for another three months.

In his message, the King will say that the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died in the Pacific and Far East "shall never be forgotten".

He will also refer to the experience endured by prisoners of war and to the innocent civilians of occupied lands in the region.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla will also publicly mark the anniversary by attending a national service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The service, run in partnership with the Royal British Legion, will be attended by Burma Star recipients, a veteran of the British Indian Army and those involved in the Battles of Kohima and Imphal.

Prisoners of war held across the region and veterans stationed in the UK or Commonwealth countries who contributed to the war effort will also attend. A two-minute national silence will be held at midday.

(c) Sky News 2025: King to warn that sacrifices of VJ Day veterans should 'never be forgotten'