Today, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a moving service, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Japan (VJ) at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle.
Governor of Edinburgh Castle Major General Bob Bruce CBE DSO laying a wreath on behalf of the British Army.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh talks to veterans inside the Scottish National War Memorial.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, along with Minister for Armed Forces in Scotland at the Scottish National War Memorial.
A quintet from the The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland provided the music for the event.
The Last Post was played by Lance Corporal Byrony George from The Band if The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The Royal British Legion Scotland event was attended by representatives from the Navy, Army and RAF: Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland, Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC RM, Governor of Edinburgh Castle Major General Bob Bruce CBE DSO and Air Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Mark Northover.
Dr Claire Armstrong OBE, Chief Executive, Royal British Legion Scotland said:
“It’s hugely important that we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, a day that marked the end of six years of world war. We were honoured to have The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in attendance, as well as some of our World War Two veterans and their families.
“It has been tremendously fitting to hold this commemoration in the historic setting of the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle. We hope the nation will join us and take a moment of reflection today to remember the importance of VJ Day 80 years on.”
"It was a privilege to host The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the VJ Day 80 service today. The day highlights the ongoing importance of remembering those who went before us and laid down their lives for our freedom."
During the service the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland provided a musical ensemble and the solo piper was provided by the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming.
Soldiers from The Royal Yorkshire Regiment also represented The British Army, laying a wreath and acting as ushers for the VIP guests.
The Scottish National War Memorial was built to commemorate the end of WW1 when one in five Scots who went to war did not return. It houses the Rolls of Honour for Scotland’s war dead from World War One and Two, to the present day, including more recent conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Chief Executive and Keeper of the Rolls, Susan Flintoff, said:
"It was a privilege to host The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at the VJ Day 80 service today. The day highlights the ongoing importance of remembering those who went before us and laid down their lives for our freedom.
“Many families, including my own, had loved ones still fighting for peace after VE Day and I'm very pleased that they were able to join us to remember VJ Day."
The Memorial is run by an independent charity and will celebrate its centenary in 2027.
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