Kate Middleton and Prince William Release Emotional Message to Mark Poignant Anniversary amid Summer Break

The Prince and Princess of Wales interrupted their summer break to commemorate those who served in the Asia-Pacific 80 years ago during WWII

NEED TO KNOW

  • Kate Middleton and Prince William shared an emotional message on social media on Aug. 15
  • The Prince and Princess of Wales marked VJ Day as they added their voices to the commemoration of sacrifices made in WWII
  • Their message came on the 80th anniversary of the ending of the war in Asia-Pacific

The Prince and Princess of Wales broke into their summer break on Friday, Aug. 15 to issue an emotional message praising the sacrifice of the wartime generation on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Japan.

“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,” Kate and William, both 43, wrote.

“We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful.”

AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Westminster Abbey service for VE Day in May this year

VJ Day marks the end of WWII in Japan and the Pacific. The Japanese surrender followed the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945.

In May, the royal family, including William and Kate’s three young children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, commemorated the end of the war in Europe. Then, there were parades and a flypast at Buckingham Palace.

William and Kate’s message on Aug. 15 came ahead of a formal commemoration of the anniversary, where King Charles and Queen Camilla led the U.K. at a service of remembrance at the National Artboretum in Staffordshire, England.

Earlier, Charles, 76, addressed the nation, praising the ever-decreasing number of veterans and their loved ones for their service of eight decades ago. "So to the families of all those who served, and to that sadly dwindling band of veterans among us still, please know that the courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity's darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity – a beacon that honors our past and guides our future."

And conjuring up memories of his own grandfather George VI who spoke 80 years ago at the end of the war. He said, “The war is over’, declared my Grandfather, King George VI, in his address to the nation and Commonwealth on V.J. Day 80 years ago today – four short words after six long years of bloodshed, fear and suffering.”

“Seldom can a simple message have resonated with such a potent mix of relief, celebration, and sorrow for those who never lived to see the glow of freedom’s new dawn," the message continued.

“On this day of profound remembrance, I speak to you in that same spirit of commemoration and celebration as we honor anew all those whose service and sacrifice saw the forces of liberty prevail.”

He also referred to the suffering of the cities under the dropping of the first atomic bombs in the last weeks of the war.

"On this landmark anniversary, we should also pause to acknowledge that in the war’s final act, an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – a price we pray no nation need ever pay again," Charles said.

"But in recalling so much suffering, we must not lose sight of how great was the cause and how sweet the victory. For those heroes of V.J. Day gave us more than freedom; they left us the example of how it can and must be protected," he added.

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Chris Jackson/Getty Princess Kate and Prince William lay flowers as they leave the official Thanksgiving Service for VE Day in May 2025

The King ended his address with: "Let us therefore pledge to be vigilant guardians of the values they bequeathed to us. And 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.'"

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