In words echoed by his grandfather, King George VI, King Charles has acknowledged the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died in the Second World War.
The King has paid tribute to those who fought and died in the Pacific and Far East for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, saying their service and sacrifice “shall never be forgotten”.
In an echo of the historic address delivered by his grandfather, King George VI, announcing the end of the Second World War on August 15, 1945, the monarch has recorded a special message to the Nation, Realms and Commonwealth to mark the occasion.
During the six minute audio broadcast, Charles will reference the experience endured by Prisoners of War, and to the innocent civilians of occupied lands in the region, whose suffering “reminds us that war’s true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life”.
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The King’s message, exclusively revealed by The Mirror earlier this month, was recorded last week in the Morning Room at Clarence House.
In the personally penned address, Charles will also describe how the heroes of VJ Day “gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected’, since victory was made possible by close collaboration between nations, ‘across vast distances, faiths and cultural divides”.
His Majesty will also comment on how the selfless determination of our greatest generation 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 King’s full message will be released at 7.30am in the UK tomorrow as commemorations take place across the world.
On August 15, 1945, King George VI spoke to the nation to herald the beginning of a new era for Britain and Europe, saying: “Japan has surrendered, so let us join in thanking Almighty God that war has ended throughout the world, and that in every country men may now turn their industry, skill, and science to repairing its frightful devastation and to building prosperity and happiness.
“Our sense of deliverance is overpowering, and with it all, we have a right to feel that we have done our duty. I ask you again at this solemn hour to remember all who have laid down their lives, and all who have endured the loss of those they love.”
As part of national commemorations next week the country is set to fall silent for two minutes to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
The King and Queen will also tomorrow attend a service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, featuring a 400-strong contingent from the armed forces, a display by the Red Arrows and historic planes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Organised in collaboration with the Royal British Legion (RBL), the remembrance service will be attended by Second World War veterans, who Charles and Camilla will meet.
As part of the commemorations this year, the King, 76, in January travelled to Poland to commemorate 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The monarch said “the act of remembering the evils of the past remains a vital task” as he met Holocaust survivors in Poland.
While VE Day, on May 8, 1945, marked the conclusion of the war in Europe, the fight against Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific continued for three more months, involving thousands of British and Commonwealth troops.
During four days of commemorations in London, King Charles welcomed some of the last remaining WWII veterans and their families to Buckingham Palace for a special engagement to acknowledge their sacrifice.
At a concert in Horse Guards Parade he further echoed the words of his grandfather saying: “His words echo down through history as all this week, and especially today, we unite to celebrate and remember with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible.
“While our greatest debt is owed to all those who paid the ultimate price, we should never forget how the war changed the lives of virtually everyone.”