Queen Camilla’s tears as veteran ‘goes off script’ to make comment about King Charles’ cancer at VJ Day service

She appeared to be reacting to an unscheduled moment during the service

Amoved Queen Camilla appeared to blink away tears as she and King Charles attended a service commemorating the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on Friday (August 15).

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the event at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. Several centenarian veterans were also present for the remembrance service, as were their families and many serving military personnel.

However, remarks from one 105-year-old former serviceman, said to have not been planned to take place, particularly affected Queen Camilla and seemed to leave her emotional.
King Charles salutes after laying a wreath (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

King Charles and Queen Camilla at VJ Day service

Before taking their seats and ahead of a two-minute silence, the royals passed a guard of honour.

King Charles also laid a wreath, and Queen Camilla placed a posy of flowers at the Armed Forces Memorial.

Their attendance came hours after the monarch’s tribute to those who “gave us more than freedom – they left us the example of how it can and must be protected”.

However, it was Captain Yavar Abbas, who served in the 11th Sikh regiment of the British Indian Army, with an unscheduled tribute of his own who seemed to make Queen Camilla cry.
Captain Yavar Abbas went off script with a comment to the king (Credit: BBC)

Veteran pays tribute to King Charles in ‘off script’ moment

Taking a moment to pause from reading his war diaries, writer and translator Mr Abbas spoke directly to the king. He apologised for “briefly going off script”.

He said: “Before reading the excerpt, I make an apology for briefly going off the script to salute my brave king, who is here with his beloved queen in spite of the fact he’s under treatment for cancer.”

Making mention of his own experience of the condition, Mr Abbas continued: “And if it provides any comfort, of which I’ve been rid for the past 25 years.”

Moving her clasped hands from underneath her chin, Queen Camilla looked to try and clear her eyes by closing them. But her expression made it clear she had been touched by what Mr Abbas said.
Queen Camilla appeared to have tears in her eyes (Credit: BBC)

How viewers reacted

Social media users watching at home made mention of how they were impressed by Mr Abbas.

“Amazing man at the VJ commemoration just owned it with an off script tribute to King Charles. Bless him and all of them. I’m only here because of them #VJDay,” one X user wrote.

What an incredible tribute.

Someone else agreed with them: “What an incredible tribute. He grabbed his chance and got applause for his words. #VJDay.”

Meanwhile, another user wrote: “I was imagining mild panic at the BBC when a man at the VJ Day service said he was going off script briefly!”

To which another person responded: “Me too but some lovely comments he made.”
The service marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day was held at the National Arboretum (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

What did Queen Camilla wear for VJ Day?

Queen Camilla was dressed immaculately in a white pleated chiffon Dior dress, as well as a white Philip Treacy hat.