British Royals Mark VJ Day 70th Anniversary

A bright sunny London day was quite suitable for commemorations marking the seventieth anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) on Saturday. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended official service of remembrance at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met veterans upon arrival for the service at St Martin-in-the-Fields

Meeting with veterans before and after their service, in which Reverend Dr Sam Wells said that “we stand in awe of those who were tried in ways beyond what most of us ever have to go through and greater than many of use can ever imagine”, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip – who himself served in the Pacific during the war aboard HMS Whelp (a clip of the Prince recollecting memories of this service was released, view the video here) – were joined by the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the remembrance service at St Martin-in-the-Fields

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were then present at the Drumhead Service at Horse Guards Parade, along with Prime Minister David Cameron. Prince Charles laid a wreath in honour of the 70,000+ British and Commonwealth casualties of combat in the Far East during World War Two. A flypast of historic and current military aircraft formed a part of the event.

Prince Charles lays a wreath during a Drumhead Service at Horse Guard’s Parade

Later in the afternoon, the couple attended the Royal British Legion’s veterans reception at the College Gardens at Westminster Abbey. Approximately 1,250 VJ Day veterans were present for the reception, where Charles and Camilla spent time speaking with veterans and their families.

Prince Charles shares a laugh with a veteran during the reception at Westminster Abbey

The Duchess even took a few minutes to join 94-year-old Royal Navy veteran Jim Booth on the dance floor for a quick waltz!

Veteran Jim Booth takes the Duchess of Cornwall for a spin on the dancefloor

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Anniversary, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Japan, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, The Countess of Wessex, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Gloucester, The Earl of Wessex, The Prince of Wales, Veterans, VJ Day, World War II.

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