The King will pledge that the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died in the Pacific and Far East “shall never be forgotten”, in a message to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The King’s audio message to the nation, realms and Commonwealth echoes a broadcast made by his grandfather, King George VI, on August 15 1945, known as VJ Day.
It stands for Victory over Japan Day and marks the surrender of Japanese forces, which ended the Second World War.
In the six-minute message, the King will reflect on the horrors experienced by prisoners of war and 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”.
Charles will 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, with victory made possible by close collaboration between nations, “across vast distances, faiths and cultural divides”.
He will say this 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 message was recorded earlier this month in the Morning Room at Clarence House and will be released ahead of a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, hosted by the Royal British Legion in partnership with the government.
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The King and Queen will attend the service and then meet Second World War veterans during a reception.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to attend any public events to mark the anniversary as they continue their summer break with their three children.
However, other senior members of the Royal Family will participate.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a service at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will attend the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral, before joining a second commemorative service dedicated to the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk.
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