On VJ Day's 80th anniversary, King Charles delivered a heartfelt message urging everyone to remember the sacrifices of veterans who gave "more than freedom." The 76-year-old monarch highlighted the profound devastation caused by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, expressing hope that such tragedies never occur again.

 

In a poignant audio message to the UK, realms, and Commonwealth, the King painted a stark picture of the hardship endured by allied prisoners of war. He described their years of brutal captivity, plagued by starvation, disease, and cruelty that pushed human endurance to its limits, leaving lasting mental and physical scars.

 

King Charles vowed that the service and sacrifice of VJ Day heroes "shall never be forgotten." Addressing their families and the now "sadly dwindling band of veterans," he assured them that their courage and camaraderie during humanity's darkest hour remain an eternal flame. This flame, he said, serves as a beacon that honors the past and guides the future.

 

Today, the King and Queen, alongside senior politicians, will gather to mark this poignant anniversary. Their presence reinforces the enduring message of remembrance and gratitude for those who fought for freedom, ensuring their legacy continues to blaze brightly for generations to come.

 

Keir Starmer's message

The build-up to today’s commemorations has included a week of events honouring VJ Day veterans.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister hosted a reception for veterans in Downing Street.

A sunset wreath-laying at the Memorial Gates in London honoured Commonwealth personnel, while dawn saw military pipers play the lament ‘Battle’s O’er’ at key memorial sites.

Starmer said: "Eighty years since our victory in the Second World War, we pay our respects to the many who fought, were captured, and made the ultimate sacrifice in the Far East.

"Our country owes a great debt to those who fought for a better future, so we could have the freedoms and the life we enjoy today.

"We must honour that sacrifice with every new generation."

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Express 2025-08-15

 

 

11 hours ago, CharlieH said:

"Our country owes a great debt to those who fought for a better future, so we could have the freedoms and the life we enjoy today.

"We must honour that sacrifice with every new generation."

Here, here.  I so hope that the nations who fought the tyranny and those that fought for the tyrants can and will live in a world seeking peace or prosperity. 

 

We must remember, too, the brave men and women who are veterans of the war on both sides.  And, the men and women who sacrificed to build the machines and equipment they fought with and the sacrifices they made at home to support the efforts for piece.

IAnd I thought the queen consort was thrown out of the royal family so I heard.

If a WW2 era soldier saw what Bongland was like today he would switch sides  

10 hours ago, chawbdurian said:

If a WW2 era soldier saw what Bongland was like today he would switch sides  

My father was in it right from 1939 to 1945. He must be turning in his grave to think what he risked his life for 6 years for.

He's a disgrace to the British people. 

6 hours ago, lavender19 said:

He's a disgrace to the British people. 

What my father is a disgrace to the British people?  Please enlighten me. It is because of people like him that we don't salute a flag with a swastika on the middle and sing Deutschland, Deutschland über alles

King Charles - as an institution I reject the privilege.

As a man I quite admire his position an many things.

6 hours ago, lavender19 said:

He's a disgrace to the British people. 

 

Charles the first convicted criminal, executed, Charles the second drunken adulterer, Charles the third adulter and woke traitor. Must be the name!

16 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

King Charles - as an institution I reject the privilege.

As a man I quite admire his position an many things.

 

As monarch he is not meant to have a position on anything

Just now, proton said:

As monarch he is not meant to have a position on anything

I think that is anything political.

And as a man (which is what I was referring to) he has his views as you and I do.

2 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

I think that is anything political.

And as a man (which is what I was referring to) he has his views as you and I do.

 

His mother made sure she was neutral and kept her views private

Just now, proton said:

His mother made sure she was neutral and kept her views private

His mother lived in a different era - the world changes and people change with it.

Or do you think nothing should ever change.

If so, where are the dinosaurs (present company excepted)?

The Brits need to take a pyrethrin bath and rid themselves of the blood sucking parasites they call 'Royalty'. Seize all of their lands and banish them to Pattaya where they can rub shoulders with the riff raff and be fondled by men in dresses. 

8 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

What my father is a disgrace to the British people?  Please enlighten me. It is because of people like him that we don't salute a flag with a swastika on the middle and sing Deutschland, Deutschland über alles

Is Charlie your father?

I have ultimate respect for the war veterans.  My father and grandfather fought in the two wars.

Don't give a flying @#$@ about Hiroshima and Nagasaki..the nips deserved all they got, the murdering savages...and until this day still no apologies...what kind of king says that about a country that killed so many of it's citizens 

Charles really needs to keep his opinions to himself and go back to cutting ribbons. No wonder Queen Elizabeth II hung on to the very end. 

 

Let's hope William is an improvement.

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Charles really needs to keep his opinions to himself and go back to cutting ribbons. No wonder Queen Elizabeth II hung on to the very end. 

 

Let's hope William is an improvement.

 

Willie the woke, not likely an improvement

15 hours ago, lavender19 said:

He's a disgrace to the British people. 

The half Greek guy?

The whole inbred family are a disgrace.

 

4 minutes ago, proton said:

 

Willie the woke, not likely an improvement

 

I think with William he is just parrotting a line that his advisors have given him. I don't think he really believes it.

 

There will be a massive culture change under Reform and he will no longer feel the need to emasculate himself for left wing brownie points. 

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

I think with William he is just parrotting a line that his advisors have given him. I don't think he really believes it.

 

There will be a massive culture change under Reform and he will no longer feel the need to emasculate himself for left wing brownie points. 

 

So William's a Reform supporter? You know someone inside Kensington Palace, Jonny? Do tell more 

On 8/16/2025 at 5:59 PM, OldmanJ said:

And I thought the queen consort was thrown out of the royal family so I heard.

Where did you hear that? She wasn't thrown out - far from it. In fact, she was "upgraded" from mere Queen Consort to fully-fledged Queen.

7 hours ago, lavender19 said:

Is Charlie your father?

I have ultimate respect for the war veterans.  My father and grandfather fought in the two wars.

My maternal grandfather went to France in 1917.  He served with the 42nd Infantry (Rainbow) Division.  My father served in the Pacific Theater in the U.S. Navy.  Two of my maternal uncles served in the European Theater in the U.S. Army.  Uncle Russel in the Transportation Corps and Uncle Gerald in the Signal Corps.

36 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

So William's a Reform supporter? You know someone inside Kensington Palace, Jonny? Do tell more 

 

Time will tell.

 

Fortunately the tyranny of the left is on it's last legs so we won't have too long to wait until people can speak their mind again. 

15 hours ago, Bobthegimp said:

The Brits need to take a pyrethrin bath and rid themselves of the blood sucking parasites they call 'Royalty'. Seize all of their lands and banish them to Pattaya where they can rub shoulders with the riff raff and be fondled by men in dresses. 

Seems like a lot of Presidents aren't doing any better.

The French had the right idea. Off with their heads then turn their castles into tourist attractions.

9 hours ago, lavender19 said:

Is Charlie your father?

I have ultimate respect for the war veterans.  My father and grandfather fought in the two wars.

I wrote "My father was in it right from 1939 to 1945. He must be turning in his grave to think what he risked his life for 6 years for." The next post yours said "He's a disgrace to the British people." Sorry for the confusion but you didn't specify that you meant Charlie.

Actually the only people respected in the UK now are migrants. Only people like us who have a relatives connected connected to either World war who shows any respect or interest.

 

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Time will tell.

 

Fortunately the tyranny of the left is on it's last legs so we won't have too long to wait until people can speak their mind again. 

 

I realise that it may be difficult to keep up with events in the UK from afar, but there is no 'tyranny of the left' and people can speak their mind.

 

Maybe have a look at the contents and comments on the Daily Mail, Express or Telegraph sites or watch GB News. You'll find more than enough anti-government rhetoric and right-wing views to satisfy yourself.

1 hour ago, RayC said:

 

I realise that it may be difficult to keep up with events in the UK from afar, but there is no 'tyranny of the left' and people can speak their mind.

 

Ricky Jones can. He's Labour and a minority.

 

Lucy Connolly cannot. But she's a white Tory.

 

The tyranny of Labour’s 2 tier Britain exposed for all to see. Again. More obvious than ever before. 

 

It's funny to see you gloating about the 2 tier system though. You'll be whining like the American Libs when it backfires and Farage or Lowe is elected.

 

Same as you still cry about Brexit.

 

Your ilk never learn. 

 

 

4 hours ago, phetphet said:

Seems like a lot of Presidents aren't doing any better.

 

I'm a colonial.  Our PM ran your central bank, probably into the ground if his current performance is any indication.