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King Charles and Queen Camilla were brought to tears during an “off script” moment where a veteran and cancer survivor offered his praise and comfort to the monarch.
The royal couple attended a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on Aug. 15, celebrating the Victory over Japan and the end of World War II. Captain Yavar Abbas, 105, took the stage at the National Memorial Arboretum in England, where he apologized before sharing a personal message for King Charles.
“Before I read the excerpt, I make due apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King,” Abbas said, raising a hand in salute, “who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he’s under treatment for cancer.”
At that moment, the camera cut to King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 78, visibly emotional as they listened. The Queen was also seen wiping away tears with a tissue during the ceremony.
Abbas continued that it was a journey he “shared” with the monarch, as he was a cancer survivor. King Charles was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer last year and has continued his slate of royal duties this year despite ongoing treatment.
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Abbas, who served in the 11th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army, read an excerpt from his war diary, which his late wife had preserved “perhaps for just such an occasion.”
The entry from Feb. 8, 1945, read, “Tomorrow, I hope I will live to do better things. I could have been dead twice before, but I’m still living. I would be surprised if I get a life for a third time. May God spare me.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla shook hands with Abbas on stage, and the King sat down with him for a chat following the ceremony, as seen in videos shared on social media by royal reporter Rebecca English.
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Other members of the royal family also marked the milestone VJ Day anniversary.
Kate Middleton and Prince William, who are currently on a private summer break, issued an emotional message praising the sacrifice of the wartime generation.
“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,” the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, wrote. “We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful.”
The couple signed off the social media post with their initials, indicating the personal nature of the message: “Lest we forget. W&C.”
Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, attended a service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle.
Meanwhile, Prince Richard and Birgitte, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, joined two services for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. They began the day at the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral before attending a service dedicated to the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk.
