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The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Prince Harry's secret tribute to Philip found at VJ Day memorial
The Duke of Sussex paid tribute to his late grandfather Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in a personal letter secretly left at the National Memorial Arboretum. Harry asked a friend to discreetly leave the note and a wreath of red poppies at the Burma Star Memorial in Staffordshire on Friday, following the national VJ Day commemorations attended by the King and Queen, GB News revealed. The letter was placed after Charles and Camilla left to avoid distracting from the service which honoured the sacrifice of Second World War heroes who fought and died in the Pacific and Far East. VJ Day on August 15 marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, ending the six-year-long conflict. Harry, who was thousands of miles away in California, wrote: 'For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning. 'My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign. 'He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war. 'Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forged, and the legacy you leave.' The late duke, who died aged 99 in 2021, was in Tokyo Bay on board the destroyer HMS Whelp, a warship he served on as second-in-command, when Japanese officials formally signed the surrender on the USS Missouri. The King, who previously spoke publicly about his father's wartime role on the 75th anniversary in 2020, made no mention of Philip in his audio address to the nation on Friday morning marking 80 years on from VJ Day. But he did pay tribute to his mentor and great uncle Earl Mountbatten, who oversaw the defeat of the Japanese offensive towards India as Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command. Harry's letter, which was addressed to the 'Forgotten Army', said: 'On this 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we pause to remember the day the guns finally fell silent across the world, the true end of the Second World War. 'We also pause to recognise you, the men and women of the 'Forgotten Army,' whose courage and endurance in the Far East campaign were anything but forgettable. 'You faced an enemy determined to the last, fought in unforgiving terrain, and endured months, even years, far from home, in conditions most could scarcely imagine. 'Your service in the jungles and mountains of Burma and beyond was marked by grit, unity, and sacrifice. 'It is because of that sacrifice that generations since, myself included, have been able to live in freedom. 'From the lessons of that bitter struggle came the understanding that even the fiercest of foes can, in time, become valued partners in peace. 'Today, as both our nations mark this anniversary, we acknowledge the respect earned, the lives lost and the enduring friendship that has since taken root.' After his words about Philip, Harry added: 'I am humbled by your example, proud of your service and dedication, and profoundly grateful for what you endured. 'Your story is part of our shared heritage, and it must never be forgotten. With the deepest respect, thank you.' The letter, featuring the duke's cypher of a H under a crown was signed 'Harry', Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. In 2020, the year of Megxit, former soldier Harry was left saddened when he was refused his wish to have a poppy wreath placed at the Cenotaph, the focus of the UK 's Remembrance Sunday service, on his behalf. Just months later, the duke, who undertook two tours to Afghanistan, was stripped of his military patronages by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II after his decision to step down as a senior working royal was made permanent. Much of the celebration marking the end of the Second World War in 1945 focused on VE (Victory in Europe) Day in May, with those who served in the Far East labelled 'The Forgotten Army'.
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
Harry's secret letter to late grandfather Prince Philip REVEALED after pal left note on his behalf
A SECRET letter written by Prince Harry to his late grandfather has been revealed. The Duke of Sussex, 40, paid a heartfelt tribute to Prince Philip in a note left at the National Memorial Arboretum on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. 8 8 8 The father-of-two trusted one of his pals to place it down alongside a wreath of red poppies at the Burma Star Memorial in Staffordshire on Friday. As reported by GB News, the note was left after King Charles and Queen Camila paid their respects. VJ Day, commemorated annually on August 15, marks the anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies after the atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Harry, who did not attend but stayed at his home in California, wrote: "For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning. "My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Pacific campaign. "He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war. "Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forged, and the legacy you leave." Prince Philip was in Tokyo Bay on the destroyer HMS Whelp, a warship he served on as second-in-command, when Japanese officials formally signed the surrender on the USS Missouri. King Charles did not mention his father's experience during his audio address to the nation on Friday morning. However he remembered his great uncle Earl Mountbatten, who was the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command. Charles & Camilla weep at VJ Day ceremony as veteran goes off script with royal tribute before telling of horrors he saw_1 Harry's letter, which was addressed to the "Forgotten Army", read: "On this 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we pause to remember the day the guns finally fell silent across the world, the true end of the Second World War. "We also pause to recognise you, the men and women of the 'Forgotten Army,' whose courage and endurance in the Far East campaign were anything but forgettable. "You faced an enemy determined to the last, fought in unforgiving terrain, and endured months, even years, far from home, in conditions most could scarcely imagine. "Your service in the jungles and mountains of Burma and beyond was marked by grit, unity, and sacrifice. 8 8 8 "It is because of that sacrifice that generations since, myself included, have been able to live in freedom. "From the lessons of that bitter struggle came the understanding that even the fiercest of foes can, in time, become valued partners in peace. "Today, as both our nations mark this anniversary, we acknowledge the respect earned, the lives lost and the enduring friendship that has since taken root." The duke added: "I am humbled by your example, proud of your service and dedication, and profoundly grateful for what you endured. "Your story is part of our shared heritage, and it must never be forgotten. With the deepest respect, thank you." The letter was signed "Harry", Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Harry was reportedly left saddened in 2020 when he was not allowed to leave a wreath on Remembrance Sunday in the wake of Megxit. And just months later he was stripped of his military patronages by his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II after his decision to step down as a senior working royal. 8 8
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
VJ Day: Dorset marks 80 years since the end of World War Two
Events are being held across Dorset as the county marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of World War Two.A service will be held at 10:50 BST at the memorial outside County Hall, Dorchester, and wreaths will be Royal British Legion branch will be holding a short service and wreath laying at the Burma Star Memorial in Poole Park at 10: barbecues, bands and a torchlight procession are among the events planned. VJ Day - or Victory over Japan Day - marks the end of World War Two when Japan surrendered to the Allied forces on 15 August are taking place at war memorials and churches across the county and members of the public are encouraged to participate in a national two-minute silence at noon. BCP Council chairman Lesley Dedman will host a short ceremony in the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole at 11: Dorchester service will be led by Rev John Yarrien, superintendent minister for Dorset South and West Methodist Circuit, with former Royal British Legion county chairman Grant Parrott as master of Military Wives Choir will perform hymns and a medley of Vera Lynn songs, with the ceremony live-streamed on the Dorset Council Facebook page. Councillor Stella Jones said: "We are honoured to welcome a host of guests, including family members of Burma veterans, some of whom will be travelling from other parts of the country to be a part of this poignant service."County Hall will also be lit up red, white and blue each evening from Friday until Royal British Legion branch will be among those joining the two-minute silence during a wreath-laying service at the town's war service will be followed by entertainment and a barbecue at Pageant Gardens from 15:00 to fundraise for a Remembrance bench and two Tommy statues for the Lyme Regis, the town band, Royal British Legion branch and the town council are hosting a drumhead ceremony at the Marine Parade Shelters from 18: Verwood, a red lantern parade will start at St Michael's Church at 20:45 and end at the war memorial on Ferrett Town Council said its planned beacon lighting ceremony at Railway Gardens at 20:30 had been revised due to the dry said: "To avoid the risk of fire, an alternative form of beacon lighting will be used." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
