King Charles usually begins his summer break in August, heading to Balmoral Castle in Scotland for some private time. This year, however, his holiday will be delayed by a special occasion.
Buckingham Palace confirmed last week that the King, 76, will deliver an audio message on the morning of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic occasion.
VJ Day commemorates Japan’s surrender and the end of World War Two in 1945, with the UK and the US observing it on different dates. While the US marks VJ Day on September 2, the UK recognises it on August 15.
The King’s message is one of several ways the Royal Family is honouring the 80th anniversary this week.
King Charles’s trip to Balmoral Castle faces delay to mark historic occasion
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Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has already begun the commemorations.
On August 12, the King’s sister-in-law visited 105-year-old Royal Marines veteran James “Jim” Wren at his care home in Salisbury to hear about his World War Two experiences.
Wren survived the sinking of HMS Repulse in 1941 and was held as a prisoner of war for three and a half years until the end of the conflict.
Prince Edward’s wife visited in her role as patron of The Java Far East Prisoner of War Club 1942.
She stayed composed when Wren surprised her with a candid reply to one of her questions.
Sophie, 60, joked that it was “fair enough” after the veteran quipped that “nothing” drew him to joining the Navy, another branch he had considered.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to attend a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, supporting the event hosted by the Royal British Legion and the government.
The King and Queen, 78, will then meet veterans of World War Two.
Elsewhere in the UK on VJ Day, Sophie and Prince Edward will attend a service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle, organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland.
Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, and Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, will attend two events.
The King’s cousin and his wife will first appear at the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral before heading to a commemorative service for the Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners of War in Suffolk.
A Palace statement said the Royal Family’s 80th anniversary VJ Day events will conclude with a reception for veterans this autumn at Windsor Castle.
