Prince William and Kate Middleton issue new statement to mark VJ Day
They paid tribute on the occasion's 80th anniversary
Prince William and Kate Middleton have shared a new statement to mark VJ Day on its 80th anniversary.
The royals have followed in the footsteps of King Charles. The monarch, 76, made an address to the nation this morning (August 15).
Marking the day that Japan surrendered in World War II in 1945, effectively bringing the war to an end, a post from William and Kate’s official social media accounts and signed by the Prince and Princess of Wales read: “Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served. Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific.
“We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful. Lest we forget. W & C.”
Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served. Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific.
We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to…
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) August 15, 2025
Prince William and Kate Middleton praised for VJ Day statement
“Beautifully said,” replied one person, while another said: “A solemn and heartfelt tribute. We remember their bravery and the hardships they endured, and honour the legacy they left us. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” and added a white heart emoji.
Their message comes days after Kate, who’s enjoying a summer break with William and their children, shared an Instagram video as part of her Mother Nature series. The video encouraged people to “open your hearts; sing, dance, play” over the summer months.
The king gave speech on VJ Day in address to the nation
This morning, to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, Charles shared a pre-recorded six-minute speech in which he paid tribute to those who “gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected”.
He said that it demonstrated that, “in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear but the arms you link,” and vowed that those who fought and died “shall never be forgotten”.
The king touched on current global conflicts, too, saying: “Innocent civilian populations of occupied territories faced grievous hardships, too. Their experience reminds us that war’s true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life – a tragedy all too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today.”
He finished his speech by saying: “Let us, above all, remember the epitaph in the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery on the battlefield of Kohima. ‘When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.'”
Royals marking VJ Day on August 15
On Friday, Charles and Queen Camilla will join Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for a service at the National Memorial Arboretum, before a national two-minute silence at noon and a flypast from the RAF Red Arrows.
The king and queen, 78, are then set to join a reception for VJ veterans and their families hosted by the Royal British Legion.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a service at Edinburgh Castle’s Scottish National War Museum too. Meanwhile, Sophie met a 105-year-old veteran, James ‘Jim’ Wren, earlier this week.
What did you think of William and Kate’s VJ Day message? Let us know by commenting on our Royal Insider Facebook page.
