King Charles salutes the fallen in moving ceremony marking 80 years since the end of World War Two

The King has laid a wreath to remember those lost as he led the nation in marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

King Charles, along with Queen Camilla, attended a National Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum on August 15th 2025, exactly 80 years on from VJ Day which saw the surrender of Japanese forces to the Allies and an end to the global conflict which had lasted six years and cost millions of lives.

His Majesty laid a wreath and saluted at the memorial in a touching tribute.

Queen Camilla laid brightly coloured flowers in her own act of memorial, a moment which clearly moved Her Majesty.

Earlier, on his arrival, The King had inspected a Guard of Honour made up of members of the RAF, the Royal Navy and the Army.

The Royal Family also took part in a two minutes silence held across the UK to mark the VJ Day anniversary.

Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, accompanied The King and Queen at the National Memorial Service.

As the anniversary of VJ Day got under way, King Charles spoke to the nation recalling the sacrifice of so many to bring peace across the world. The recorded message was played on the morning of the anniversary, soon after pipers had played a dawn lament at The Cenotaph as well as at the National Memorial Arboretum and at Edinburgh Castle.

The moving memorial service saw tributes from veterans as well as readings from well known stage and screen actors. A flypast from World War Two aircraft was greeted with applause and with tears from some of the RAF veterans at the ceremony.

Afterwards, King Charles and Queen Camilla spent a long time talking to the veterans with Her Majesty insisting that no one stand to meet her and finding several veterans determined to leave their seats to greet her regardless.

One veteran had already paid a moving tribute to King Charles, thanking him for coming to the service despite his ongoing treatment for cancer and saying that his presence had ensured that the veterans of the Far East campaign would never be forgotten. The King appeared deeply touched by the heartfelt message.

The Prince and Princess of Wales paid their own tribute, releasing a statement honouring those who had given their lives.