Buckingham Palace announces King will address the nation next week

The event, to be broadcast live by the BBC on August 15, coincides with the 79th anniversary of Japan’s surrender. It will pay special tribute to:

• Burma Star recipients

• British Indian Army veterans

• Former prisoners of war

• Troops who fought in the Battle of Kohima and Imphal – decisive clashes in Northeast India that halted Japan’s advance.

The King’s pre-recorded audio message, expected to emphasize reconciliation and sacrifice, will preface the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. He and Queen Camilla will attend alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and surviving veterans.

This year’s service holds added significance as the number of living WWII witnesses dwindles. Organizers aim to spotlight often-overlooked contributions from Commonwealth forces in the Pacific War’s grueling campaigns.

The ceremony, broadcast live on the BBC from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, will see:

• The royal couple laying floral tributes alongside senior government officials

• A national two-minute silence observed across the UK

• A spectacular Red Arrows aerial display

• A climactic flypast by the historic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

The event will conclude with the King and Queen meeting Second World War veterans at a private reception, offering a rare opportunity to personally thank the dwindling number of surviving servicemen.

In a parallel tribute, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a separate memorial service at Edinburgh Castle’s Scottish National War Memorial, organized by Royal British Legion Scotland – ensuring the nation’s remembrance spans across Britain.

Today’s ceremonies come on the 79th anniversary of VJ Day, marking Japan’s surrender and the final end of World War II. The services particularly honor:

• Survivors of the brutal Burma Campaign

• Veterans of the British Indian Army

• Those who endured captivity as POWs

• Heroes of pivotal battles at Kohima and Imphal

With fewer than 30,000 British WWII veterans remaining alive today, organizers emphasize this may be among the last major anniversaries with significant numbers of surviving participants.

The King and Queen will attend the principal memorial service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where they will:

• Lay wreaths alongside senior government officials

• Observe a national two-minute silence

• Witness an aerial display by the Red Arrows

• Watch a climactic flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

The service, organized by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the UK Government, will conclude with a private reception for Second World War veterans – one of the last major gatherings of surviving servicemen from the conflict.

Parallel Tributes Across the UK
In a coordinated effort to honor different aspects of the war’s legacy:

• The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a service at Edinburgh Castle’s Scottish National War Memorial

• The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will join:

  • A Far East Prisoners of War memorial service at Norwich Cathedral

  • A second service in Suffolk dedicated to the children and families of Far East POWs

Personal Tributes to Veterans
In a moving prelude to the anniversary:

• The Duchess of Edinburgh will meet 102-year-old veteran Jim Wren, who survived the sinking of HMS Repulse and endured three years as a POW in Sumatra

Autumn Conclusion at Windsor
The commemorations will culminate later this season with:

• A special reception for veterans at Windsor Castle, hosted by the Royal Family

Today’s events pay particular tribute to:

• Survivors of the brutal Burma Campaign

• Veterans of the British Indian Army

• Former Far East prisoners of war

• Heroes of decisive battles at Kohima and Imphal

With fewer than 30,000 British WWII veterans remaining, these commemorations take on added significance as the nation ensures their sacrifices are remembered by future generations.