CWGC in attendance at Royal Reception for VJ Day 80

We were honoured to attend a reception for veterans who served in the Second World War in the Pacific and their families to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day at Windsor Castle.

The event, attended by the King and Queen, as well as The Prince and Princess of Wales, was one of the final events in a year marked by important 80th anniversaries of the Second World War, most notably the anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, celebrating the return to peace after six years of war.

Image: Press Association

Amongst the guests were a number of Second World War veterans as well as Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Defence Secretary John Healey, and actor Sir Mark Rylance.

Representatives from the CWGC were in attendance alongside other groups who have been involved in this year’s anniversary events.

Barry Murphy, our Acting Director General and Chief Operating Officer, Michele Jennings, our Chief Marketing Officer and Director of the Foundation, and Charles Garrett OBE, Director of Global Strategy and International Relations led our party, which included some of our long-service colleagues and volunteers.

The event was the perfect way to round up months of commemorative events held across the UK and around the world, with His Majesty – who is also our Patron - holding our Torch for Peace. Earlier this year the Torch for Peace travelled across the country as part of our For Evermore tour, which told the stories of Commonwealth servicemen and highlighted our work around the world.

Images courtesy of the Royal Household unless otherwise stated.