The royal couple joined veterans, members of VJ associations, military personnel and senior politicians at the service, which was hosted by the Royal British Legion and the government. King Charles attended in his role as patron of the Royal British Legion, the UK's largest charity supporting members of the armed forces, veterans and their families. The King and Queen were greeted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the leadership of the Royal British Legion before passing a Guard of Honour at the Armed Forces Memorial.
During the ceremony, King Charles laid a wreath and Queen Camilla placed a posy, followed by wreath-laying from other officials. A national two-minute silence was observed, ending with a flypast by the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows. The couple later met veterans and guests to honour those who served in the Far East and Pacific during the war. The service concluded with a second flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Following the service, the King viewed memorials and met members of VJ associations before attending a reception for veterans and their families organised by the Royal British Legion. Earlier that day, Buckingham Palace released a pre-recorded audio message from King Charles, recorded at Clarence House, in which he paid tribute to veterans and remembered those who died in service. He recalled his grandfather King George VI's VJ Day speech in 1945 and described the enduring courage and camaraderie of those who fought.
The King also acknowledged the heavy toll paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, expressing hope that such devastation would never be repeated.
