On the evening of November 11, 2025, the historic halls of Windsor Castle echoed with emotion and remembrance as King Charles III, Prince William, and other members of the Royal Family gathered to honor veterans of the Second World War, particularly those who served in the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories. This year’s Remembrance reception held special significance, marking both the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Far East and 107 years since the Armistice that concluded the First World War.
According to Royal Insider, Prince William, adorned with his military medals, joined his father King Charles at the reception, where they met with veterans from across the UK and the Commonwealth. The prince described the evening as “deeply moving,” reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of a generation whose actions, he said, “brought peace to millions, and whose legacy continues to inspire us today.” The sentiment, “Lest We Forget,” resonated throughout the event, underscoring the enduring importance of remembrance.
The gathering at Windsor Castle was not a solitary event but the culmination of a week filled with ceremonies and commemorations. As reported by the Royal Watcher Blog, the Royal Family had already participated in the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in London and the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. These events collectively honored all those who have given their lives in conflicts, with a particular emphasis this year on the 80th anniversary of both Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.
During the Windsor Castle reception, King Charles experienced a poignant reunion with 105-year-old Yavar Abbas, a veteran who served as a combat cameraman in Burma and documented the aftermath of war in places as far-flung as Hiroshima. Abbas, originally from Lucknow, India, had previously met the King and Queen Camilla at a remembrance service in Staffordshire earlier in 2025. At that event, Abbas delivered an unscripted tribute to the King, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, moving both Charles and Camilla to tears. As The Mirror recounted, Abbas said, “I make no apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King, who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he is under treatment for cancer.”
Abbas’s presence at the Windsor reception was a powerful reminder of the personal stories behind the ceremonies. He shared, “I was very much looking forward to meeting him again. I have a lot of respect for His Majesty, not just as a monarch, but as a human being. It’s wonderful to meet him and to know that he is improving, because I had cancer and I got rid of it.” Abbas’s reflections extended beyond personal triumph, as he voiced his disappointment with the state of the world: “I am angry with the world and I am ashamed. I thought I fought a war to have a better world and I find that I am in a worse world than I was in at the time.”
King Charles, who serves as patron of the Royal British Legion, greeted other veterans at the reception, including Gilbert Clarke and Sylvia Manasseh, as well as Defence Secretary John Healey. The event was attended by a host of notable figures, such as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, and actor Sir Mark Rylance. The evening concluded with the King holding the Commonwealth War Graves’ Torch for Peace, a symbol commissioned this year to honor the memory of those who died in the world wars and to signify hope for future peace.
Prince William, meanwhile, took the opportunity to engage with younger generations. In a video message broadcast to children aged 9 to 14, he urged them to wear red poppies on Remembrance Day as a gesture of gratitude and connection. “Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect; it is a reminder that Remembrance is for everyone,” William explained. He emphasized that remembrance teaches “empathy, resilience, and responsibility,” and that it’s not just about the past, “it’s about shaping who we become in the future.” The prince’s words echoed through classrooms and homes, reminding young people that the stories and sacrifices of veterans are not relics, but living lessons for today and tomorrow.
The Princess of Wales played her own significant role in the week’s events. On Armistice Day, she joined veterans, families, and serving members of the Armed Forces at the National Memorial Arboretum, leading a two-minute silence and laying a wreath in remembrance. The ceremony, attended by thousands, featured a specially commissioned poem by the Arboretum’s Poet in Residence and performances by Black Voices and Talent in the Ranks, highlighting the importance of personal connections and the bonds formed through military service. The Princess was also seen sharing a light-hearted moment with a photographer, demonstrating the warmth and humanity that has come to define her public appearances.
Queen Camilla, for her part, participated in the ‘Poppies to Paddington’ commemoration service, traveling from Wiltshire to London Paddington in honor of the rail bicentenary and Armistice Day. Her wreath, like the King’s, bore her racing colors and was produced by The Poppy Factory, a nod to the traditions upheld by previous generations of the Royal Family.
The Remembrance Week also included the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, where the Royal British Legion commemorated all who have lost their lives in conflict and reflected on the progress made since the lifting of the ban on gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel serving openly in the armed forces. As poppies fell during a two-minute silence, the resilience and strength of military children facing bereavement were also honored.
The ceremonies culminated in the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph, where King Charles, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Edinburgh laid wreaths at the memorial. The King’s wreath paid tribute to those of his grandfather, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth II, featuring poppies mounted on black leaves and a ribbon in the King’s racing colors. The Prince of Wales laid the wreath previously carried by the King as Prince of Wales, now adorned with a ribbon in Welsh red.
Throughout the week, the Royal Family’s actions and words underscored the enduring importance of remembrance. As Prince William reminded the nation, “When we remember, we connect with service in a personal way. We learn from the courage of others, and we carry their stories forward, so they are not forgotten.” The events at Windsor Castle and beyond offered a powerful testament to the sacrifices of past generations and the responsibility to honor and learn from their legacy.
In a world still grappling with conflict and division, the Royal Family’s Remembrance Week stood as a heartfelt call to empathy, unity, and hope for a better future, ensuring that the memories and lessons of those who served are carried forward by generations to come.
