Echoing his grandfather who addressed the nation on VJ Day in 1945, King Charles has recorded a message for the nation, realms and Commonwealth to mark the occasion.
The message was recorded in the Morning Room at Clarence House and released ahead of a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
He opened his message by referencing his grandfather’s message and how ‘millions of families gathered around their wireless sets, and for their loved ones still serving far from home, it was the message a battle-weary world had long prayed for. ‘The war is over’’ as declared by George VI.
‘Seldom can a simple message have resonated with such a potent mix of relief, celebration, and sorrow for those who never lived to see the glow of freedom’s new dawn.’
Speaking with the ‘same spirit of commemoration and celebration’ as his grandfather, The King notes how we have honour all those who sacrificed their lives in service.
‘While that final victory in The Pacific was achieved under the strategic command of our steadfast American allies, the war in South East Asia had reached its climax under the leadership of my great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, from whom I learned so much about the particular horrors and heroism witnessed in those furthest fields of combat.
‘The forces aligned under him comprised over one million men and women, drawn from many different countries, religions and communities, but united by common purpose and indomitable spirit. 29 Victoria Crosses bear eloquent testimony to their valour, but I know full well of the toll it took on so many – measured not only in gravestones, but in the mental and physical scars of those who survived’.
Charles states that is has been his ‘privilege to reassure the remaining veterans that they and their fallen comrades shall never be forgotten’, adding not only ‘are they alone in our thoughts today for, high above those monsoon-lashed jungles Allied pilots displayed their own fearless bravery, flying fighters, bombers and transport aircraft into enemy fire and Nature’s fury’.
During the six-minute audio broadcast, Charles spoke about the prisoners of war ‘who endured years of brutal captivity: the starvation, disease and cruelty that tested the very limits of human endurance. Innocent civilian populations of occupied territories faced grievous hardships, too. Their experience reminds us that war’s true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life – a tragedy all-too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today’.
‘But in recalling so much suffering, we must not lose sight of how great was the cause and how sweet the victory. For those heroes of V.J. Day gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected.’
‘Countries and communities that had never before fought together learned to co-ordinate their efforts across vast distances, faiths and cultural divides. Together they proved 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. That remains a vital lesson for our times.’
His Majesty concluded his message by extending the broadcast tor ‘families of all those who served, and to that sadly dwindling band of veterans among us still’ praising their ‘courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity’s darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity’, which guides the future.
