The King's Promise: 5 Most Powerful Moments From The Royals' V-J Day 80th Anniversary Tributes

Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day), marking the surrender of Japan and the final end of the Second World War on August 15, 1945, remains one of the most significant dates in the British calendar. The 80th anniversary, commemorated in August 2025, saw the Royal Family lead the nation in a series of deeply personal and powerful tributes, ensuring the sacrifices of the "Forgotten Army" are never overlooked.

The messages delivered by King Charles III and Prince William, along with the solemn ceremonies attended by Queen Camilla, provided a fresh, poignant focus on the veterans of the brutal Far East and Pacific campaigns, including the Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW). These royal tributes highlighted the enduring link between the Crown and the Armed Forces, making a solemn promise to future generations to remember the immense cost of that hard-fought victory.

The Royal Family's V-J Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration: Key Figures and Events

The 80th anniversary of V-J Day was marked by a series of high-profile, national commemorations led by the most senior members of the Royal Family. The events were carefully orchestrated to honor the dwindling number of surviving veterans, many of whom are now centenarians.

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• King Charles III: Delivered a powerful, historic audio address to the nation from Clarence House, echoing the spirit of his grandfather, King George VI.
• Queen Camilla: Joined the King to lead the nation's principal service of remembrance.
• Prince William and Princess Catherine (The Prince and Princess of Wales): Issued a personal and heartfelt joint message on their official social media channels, paying tribute to the generation's "courage, sacrifice, and resilience."
• Principal Venue: The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, a site of profound significance for national remembrance.
• Guests of Honour: Over 30 surviving veterans of the Far East and Pacific campaigns, some aged 105, along with representatives from the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Burma Star Association.

1. King Charles III's Historic Audio Address and the Kohima Epitaph

King Charles III's message was the centerpiece of the 80th-anniversary tributes, a powerful audio broadcast that drew a direct line from the victory announcement of 1945 to the present day. The King's address was lauded for its historical depth and emotional resonance.

The Echo of King George VI

The King began by invoking the spirit of his grandfather, King George VI, who first announced the end of the war to the nation. King Charles III highlighted how four simple words—"The war is over"—signaled the end of a dreadful shadow that had hung over the world for six years.

His Majesty pledged that the service and sacrifice of the V-J Day heroes "shall never be forgotten," a solemn vow to maintain the nation's collective memory. The King's words focused on the unique hardships faced by those who fought in the Far East, a theatre of war often overshadowed by the European conflict.

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The Poignant Warning and the Ultimate Promise

In a notable moment, King Charles III used his V-J Day address to deliver a stark warning about the persistence of global conflicts, suggesting that the lessons of World War II remain tragically relevant today. The message served as a reminder that the peace secured in 1945 must be continually defended.

The address concluded with the recitation of the deeply moving Kohima Epitaph, a tribute to the soldiers who died in the pivotal Battle of Kohima during the Burma Campaign:

• "When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today."

This inclusion powerfully cemented the tribute to the "Forgotten Army" and the extraordinary efforts of units like the Chindits and Force 136, who conducted crucial, long-range penetration operations deep behind Japanese lines.

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2. The King and Queen Lead the National Memorial Arboretum Service

The most visible act of remembrance was the Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where King Charles III and Queen Camilla led the nation. This event was a profound demonstration of the Crown's gratitude to the veterans.

A Focus on the Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW)

The service placed a special emphasis on the veterans of the Far East and Pacific, including the survivors of the horrific prison camps. These FEPOW endured unimaginable suffering and brutality, often working on projects like the Siam-Burma Railway (Death Railway). The attendance of the King and Queen, along with the participation of the Royal British Legion, ensured that this particularly painful chapter of the war was given due recognition.

The King and Queen joined the veterans, many of whom were accompanied by their families, for a wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a two-minute silence. This moment of silence honored not only the fallen but also the resilience of those who returned home from the Far East. The King's presence at the Burma Star Memorial Fund event underscored the enduring commitment to the memory of those who fought under the most challenging conditions.

3. Prince William and Princess Catherine's Personal Social Media Tribute

In a powerful modern gesture, The Prince and Princess of Wales issued a personal, joint message via their official social media channels, ensuring their tribute reached a global audience and the younger generation.

The Exact Words of The Prince and Princess of Wales

The message, signed simply "W & C," was a concise yet deeply moving statement that resonated with the themes of courage and legacy. The exact quote shared read: "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 forces who fought in the Far East, and the families who waited for them to return. We owe you all a debt of gratitude."

This specific mention of the "British and Commonwealth forces" and the "families who waited" broadened the scope of remembrance, acknowledging the vast, multinational effort in the Pacific theatre, including soldiers from India, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The use of a personal joint message underscored their role as future heads of the Commonwealth and their commitment to honoring all veterans of the conflict.

4. The Enduring Legacy and Topical Authority

The Royal Family's consistent and deeply personal engagement with V-J Day commemorations serves a critical purpose: it maintains the topical authority of a historical event that risks fading from public memory. By focusing on specific entities and campaigns, the Crown keeps the history alive.

• The "Forgotten Army": The term used for the soldiers who fought in the Far East, whose victory was announced three months after V-E Day, often receives less historical attention in the West. The Royal Tributes actively counter this narrative.
• FEPOW: The emphasis on Far East Prisoners of War highlights the unique atrocities of the war in the Pacific and the incredible fortitude required for survival.
• Key Entities in the Commemoration: The involvement of organizations such as the Royal British Legion, the Burma Star Association, and the attendance of the Secretary of State for Defence at the National Memorial Arboretum service, solidifies the event as a national priority.

5. The Royal Promise: A Debt of Gratitude

Ultimately, the core message from all members of the Royal Family on the 80th anniversary was one of profound and eternal gratitude. King Charles III's promise that the heroes "shall never be forgotten," echoed by Prince William and Princess Catherine's acknowledgment of a "debt of gratitude," forms a solemn pledge to the wartime generation. This commitment ensures that the story of V-J Day, the end of the Second World War, and the immense suffering and ultimate triumph of the Far East veterans, will be passed on to future generations.

The 80th anniversary was not just a look back, but a forward-looking commitment to remembrance, reinforcing the monarchy's role as the custodian of the nation's history and its most sacred memories.