King Charles marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day

The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid tribute to “the courage, sacrifice, and resilience” of those who served in the Far East during the Second World War. In a message shared to their social media pages  to mark Victory in Japan Day today, the royal couple said: “Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served.

“Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific. We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful. Lest we forget. W & C.”

William and Kate will not be attending any commemorative events today, but the rest of the Royal Family will be attending services across the country.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a message to mark VJ Day (Image: Getty)

The King and Queen will attend the Royal British Legion service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. There, they will meet 33 VJ Day veterans, each aged between 96 and 105, who fought in what has become known as The Forgotten War.

Elsewhere, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attend a service at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland, while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will attend the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral.

The couple will also join a second commemorative service dedicated to the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk.

This morning, the King released an audio message to mark the 80th anniversary. In a six-minute address, Charles issued a warning that the sacrifices of the VJ Day veterans, who gave us “more than freedom,” should “never be forgotten.”

King Charles

King Charles shared an audio message to mark VJ Day this morning (Image: PA)

He also significantly acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which led to Japan’s surrender, describing the “immense price” on its citizens as one “we pray no nation need ever pay again”.

His message of hope on a landmark anniversary ended with a poignant message for the future, saying: “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.”