The Queen appeared emotional as a war veteran paid tribute to the “brave king” at a VJ Day memorial event following his cancer diagnosis.
The King and Camilla joined Sir Keir Starmer and 33 veterans aged 96-105, who served in the Far East and Pacific, at a national service of remembrance in Staffordshire on Friday.
But when Yavar Abbas, who was a captain in the 11th Sikh Regiment, went on stage at the National Memorial Arboretum to read extracts from his diaries during his time in Burma in 1945, he also took a moment to go “off script”.
The King talks to war veteran Yavar Abbas. Pic: PA
Camilla looked at her husband sitting next to her and appeared to wipe away a tear as Mr Abbas, 105, originally from Lucknow in India, said: “I make no apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave king, who is here with his beloved queen in spite of the fact that he is under treatment for cancer.”
There was applause in the crowd as Mr Abbas said he had also been treated for cancer, and added that he hoped it would bring “comfort” that he had been rid of the disease himself for 25 years.
VJ Day marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, but much of the celebration in 1945 focused on VE (Victory in Europe) Day in May, with those who served in the Far East labelled The Forgotten Army.
Mr Abbas added: “I salute him for gracing this occasion, because by his presence here, he has gone a long way to make sure that his grandad’s 14th Army is never given the sobriquet again of The Forgotten Army.”
‘He’s human’
Speaking afterwards, he said he made “no apology” for his comments.
“I admire the man… I admire The King. He has similar views about things as I have, about the environment for example.
“He’s human. When I went up to him and talked to him, he said something very touching to me. He said to me when you said that I almost cried. That’s our King and he’s a great King.”
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Listen: King sends stark message on conflicts
Ahead of the service, King Charles, in a pre-recorded audio address to the nation, vowed the sacrifice of heroes who fought and died in the campaigns “shall never be forgotten”.
He also significantly acknowledged the devastation caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which led to Japan’s surrender, describing the “immense price” paid by its citizens, adding, “we pray no nation need ever pay again”.
A Red Arrows formation paid an airborne tribute
He said: “Please know that the courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity’s darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity – a beacon that honours our past and guides our future.”
After the service of remembrance, which started with a two-minute silence and a Red Arrows flypast, the King made his way to the Far East corner of the arboretum, where he met Silas Sarbah and Khadak Chettri, the grandsons of Second World War soldiers, as well as William Slim, the great-grandson of General Bill Slim, who led the so-called Forgotten Army.
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He saw tributes at the Burma Railway memorial, which is built from 30 metres of original track from the so-called “Railway of Death”, and took a moment of reflection at the Burma Star Memorial and the Chindit Memorial, before going to a reception for VJ veterans and their families.
The King and Queen were joined by the prime minister and Lady Starmer, as they met some 30 veterans who served in the Far East during the six-year war for the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, accompanied by their families and carers.
