The King appeared deeply moved as a war veteran paid tribute to him at a VJ Day memorial event in Staffordshire, following news of his cancer diagnosis. King Charles and Queen Camilla joined Sir Keir Starmer and 33 veterans, aged between 96 and 105, who served in the Far East and Pacific, for a national service of remembrance on Friday.
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During the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum, 105-year-old Yavar Abbas, a former captain in the 11th Sikh Regiment, read from his wartime diaries and went “off script” to salute the King. He spoke of his own experience surviving cancer and praised the King’s presence, saying it would help ensure the 14th Army of his grandfather was never again referred to as “The Forgotten Army.” The moment drew applause, and Queen Camilla appeared to wipe away a tear.
In a pre-recorded address, King Charles acknowledged the sacrifices of those who fought and died in the Far East campaigns and the wider Second World War, including the devastating impact of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He described the bravery of the armed forces as a guiding light for the future and vowed that the courage displayed in history’s darkest hours “shall blaze for eternity.”
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Following the service, the King visited the Far East corner of the arboretum, meeting relatives of Second World War soldiers and viewing tributes at the Burma Railway, Burma Star, and Chindit memorials. The King and Queen later attended a reception with around 30 veterans, their families, and carers, accompanied by the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer, to honour their service and sacrifices.
