King Charles & Queen Camilla Fought Back Tears As Army Vet Went ‘Off The Script’ To Pay Tribute To ‘Brave King’

Aug 20, 2025 by apost team

King Charles III and Queen Camilla became visibly emotional during an unscripted exchange when a veteran and cancer survivor offered heartfelt words of support to the King. The poignant moment occurred on Aug. 15, 2025, as the monarch and his consort attended commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which marks Japan’s surrender and the conclusion of World War II. 

The day was observed across the royal family, with several members honoring the milestone. The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a deeply moving tribute. Prince William and Princess Catherine reflected on the bravery of the wartime generation, releasing a statement that read: “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.” 

They added: “We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful.” Signing the post with their initials, the couple concluded with the solemn reminder: “Lest we forget. W&C.”

Elsewhere, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, took part in a service at Edinburgh Castle’s Scottish National War Memorial. Prince Richard and Birgitte, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, joined in the commemorations as well. 

In detail, they first attended the Far East Prisoners of War VJ Day 80th Anniversary Service at Norwich Cathedral before traveling to Suffolk for a ceremony honoring the children and families of former prisoners of war.

During the commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum in England, Captain Yavar Abbas, aged 105, stepped forward with a message that moved both King Charles and Queen Camilla. Before reading from his wartime diary, Abbas paused to speak directly to the monarch.

“Before I read the excerpt, I make due apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King,” he said, raising his hand in salute, “who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he’s under treatment for cancer.”

The cameras then turned to the royal couple, Charles, 76, and Camilla, 78, both clearly affected. At one point, the Queen was seen dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

Abbas explained that his words came from a place of shared experience, noting that he, too, had battled cancer. The King revealed his own diagnosis with an undisclosed form of the illness in 2024, yet has continued carrying out official engagements while receiving treatment. 

Offering encouragement, Abbas said that he had been “rid of it for 25 years and counting,” a line that drew warm applause from the audience. Abbas, who once served with the 11th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army, went on to read a diary entry carefully preserved by his late wife, “perhaps for just such an occasion.” 

Dated Feb. 8, 1945, it read:

“Tomorrow, I hope I will live to do better things. I could have been dead twice before, but I’m still living. I would be surprised if I get a life for a third time. May God spare me.”

Following the ceremony, King Charles and Queen Camilla shook his hand, and the King was photographed sharing a conversation with him.

apost.com

The courage shown by Captain Abbas and the royal family’s emotional response is a reminder of the strength found in shared humanity. Do you have any get-well wishes for King Charles? Let us know, and if this story moved you, pass it along to others!