‘War has ended’: Queen Elizabeth shares intimate moments from the end of the second world war

Queen Elizabeth II has shared intimate moments that marked the end of the second world war, including her father, the late King George VI’s broadcast and diary entry from August 16, 1945.

In a series of posts shared on social media, Her Majesty paid tribute to “the British and Commonwealth forces who gave their lives for freedom”.

The Queen began the WWII commemorations with a photo of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth I, and Her Majesty and sister, Princess Margaret, waving as the war had come to an end.

“War has ended” – King George VI, 1945.

This #VJDay marks 77 years since Victory in Japan and the end of the Second World War globally.

Today we remember and pay tribute to the British and Commonwealth forces who gave their lives for freedom.

???? – @RCT pic.twitter.com/6klGwdGZCV

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 15, 2022

Her Majesty shared a sample from the broadcast address given by her late father, read by a first cousin of the Queen, the Duke of Gloucester.

???? At 9pm on 15th August 1945, The King gave a broadcast address to the Commonwealth.

???? An extract is read here by The Duke of Gloucester on the occasion of #VJDay75 as President of @FEPOWFellowship.https://t.co/GjxZvpDTBV

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 15, 2022

The Queen also revealed a diary entry from King George, titled “Victory Day”, in which he recalled opening “the first peace time” since 1938. An excerpt from Queen Mary’s diary was also released.

????️#DYK The King also recorded his memories of this day privately?

King George VI recalled in his diary “we drove in procession in a state landau with an escort to Westminster where I opened the first peace time parliament since 1938.” pic.twitter.com/qIfgXQQp31

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 15, 2022

????️Queen Mary also wrote in her diary on the 15th August 1945:

“The crowds most disturbing & calling out ‘We want the Queen’ at intervals & I had to go & wave! After dinner I adjoined to the top of Marlborough House to see the flood lighting of Buckingham Palace etc. most lovely” pic.twitter.com/FfDNMENCWG

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 15, 2022

It seems as though maintaining peace and avoiding global conflict is of paramount importance to Her Majesty, who recently donated a large amount to British aid charities helping with the conflict in Ukraine, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

Her Majesty’s son, Prince Charles, recently set out to meet humanitarian groups providing services and aid to the people of Ukraine.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@clarencehouse)

“Joined by Her Majesty Margareta of Romania, The Prince of Wales has visited the Romexpo Donation Centre in Bucharest to see first-hand the excellent response of the Romanian authorities and international and local organisations to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine,” the Prince’s Instagram account wrote.

“The Romanian Red Cross has deployed volunteers along the border to give out food, water, basic aid items and hygiene products to people in need. Thousands of SIM cards are also being distributed so that people can keep in touch with their loved ones. So far, almost 1 million Ukrainian people have crossed into Romania.

“Thank you to all at the Romexpo Donation Centre, who offer free basic necessities every day, from food to hygiene products, clothing and shoes; as well as social services and counsel.”