Dated February 8, 1945, the entry 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 reading, King Charles and Queen Camilla warmly greeted Abbas on stage. The King also sat down with the veteran for a personal conversation, as shared in video clips by royal reporter Rebecca English.
Wider Royal Family Tributes
Other royals also took part in commemorations for the historic milestone.
Prince William and Princess Kate, currently on a private summer break, issued a moving message honoring the sacrifice of the wartime generation.
“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 wrote. “We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful.”
The couple signed the post with their initials, “W&C,” to underscore its personal significance.
Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, attended a commemorative service at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle.
Meanwhile, Prince Richard and Birgitte, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, joined two separate ceremonies—one at Norwich Cathedral for the Far East Prisoners of War, and another in Suffolk honoring the children and families of those prisoners.
