Duke of Edinburgh to take part in 75th VJ Day commemorations
THE DUKE of Edinburgh is to make a rare public appearance at the commemorations of the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will also take part in a televised service of remembrance and thanksgiving and the Duke of Cambridge will appear separately in a programme paying tribute to the sacrifices of Allied forces in the Far East.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “When the Second World War ended 75 years ago with the surrender of Japan, British soldiers, sailors and airmen were serving in the Far East, fighting hard to achieve victory – and were among the last to come home.
“On this anniversary I want to remember what we owe the veterans of the Far East campaign. They brought an end to the Second World War, they changed the course of history for the better, liberated South East Asia, and many paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Prince Philip was on board the destroyer HMS Whelp moored in Tokyo Bay, a warship he served on as second- in- command, when Japanese officials signed the surrender.
During the commemorations on VJ Day, Saturday August 15, he will feature on large screens in locations across the country in a poignant photo montage alongside other Second World War veterans, with each pictured with an image of themselves from their time in service.
It will be a rare appearance for the Duke, who retired from royal duties in 2017 and has only been seen in public a handful of times, most recently for a military event at Windsor Castle where he has been isolating from Covid- 19 with the Queen.
The BBC will broadcast two programmes on the day. In the morning, The Nation Remembers on BBC One will feature Fergal Keane and Dan Snow live from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where the remembrance commemoration is taking place.
In the evening, The Nation’s Tribute will air pre- recorded from Horse Guards Parade.