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King Charles usually begins his summer break in August, retreating to Balmoral Castle in Scotland for some private time. However, his vacation won’t start until after he marks a special occasion.
Buckingham Palace announced last week that the King, 76, will deliver an audio message on the morning of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic day. VJ Day commemorates the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II in 1945, and the U.K. and the U.S. acknowledge it on different days. While the U.S. observes VJ Day on Sept. 2, the U.K. recognizes the anniversary on Aug. 15.
The King’s broadcast is one of several ways the royal family is honoring the 80th anniversary of VJ Day this week, and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh started the charge earlier this week.
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On Aug. 12, the King’s sister-in-law visited 105-year-old Royal Marines veteran James “Jim” Wren at his care home in Salisbury to learn more about his experience in World War II. Wren survived the sinking of the HMS Repulse in 1941 and was later held as a prisoner of war for three and a half years until the war ended.
Prince Edward’s wife visited in her post as patron of The Java Far East Prisoner of War Club 1942, and she stayed poised when Wren surprised her with a candid answer to one of her questions. Sophie, 60, joked that it was “fair enough” after the veteran quipped that “nothing” drew him to joining the Navy, another branch in which he considered enlisting.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to attend a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in England, supporting the service hosted by the Royal British Legion and the government. King Charles and Queen Camilla, 78, will then take time to meet veterans of World War II.
Elsewhere in the U.K. on VJ Day, Sophie and Prince Edward will go to a service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle, organized by the Royal British Legion Scotland.
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Fellow working royals Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester will pull double duty and attend two events. The King’s cousin and his wife will first appear at the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral and then head to a commemorative service dedicated to the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk.
A palace statement said that the royal family’s events recognizing the 80th anniversary of VJ Day will wrap with a reception for veterans this fall at Windsor Castle.
