Prince William and King Charles Host WWII Veterans at Windsor Castle on Remembrance Day

Prince William and King Charles hosted a deeply moving reception for World War II veterans at Windsor Castle yesterday (Tuesday, November 11), marking both Remembrance Day and the 107th anniversary of the end of World War I. The commemorative evening was part of a wider programme of remembrance events led by the royal family throughout the UK (BBC News).

The Prince of Wales joined his father to honour veterans who served in the Far East during the final chapters of WWII, a part of the conflict often referred to as “the war’s forgotten front” due to the extreme conditions and high casualties (The Telegraph).

Prince William Joins King Charles at Remembrance Reception

In a video shared Tuesday evening on Instagram, William—wearing his military medals—was seen warmly greeting veterans, speaking with men who had served in regions such as Burma, Singapore, and the Pacific Islands. Many of the veterans in attendance were in their late 90s or over 100 years old, representing a rapidly dwindling generation of servicemen and women (Sky News).

The prince, 43, wrote: “Honoured to be at Windsor Castle this evening to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War in the Far East with Their Majesties.”

He continued: “It was deeply moving to meet veterans from across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Pacific and Indian Ocean territories – a generation whose courage and sacrifice brought peace to millions, and whose legacy continues to inspire us today.”

William ended the message with the solemn tribute: “Lest We Forget.”

The engagement follows King Charles’s emotional appearance at the National Service of Remembrance in London over the weekend, where the monarch laid a wreath at the Cenotaph as part of his ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and the armed forces (The Independent).

Royal Fans Send Their Love

Royal supporters quickly filled the comment section with messages of admiration—for both the veterans and the royal family’s continued public service.

“They were young men, very courageous,” one commenter wrote.

Another added: “God bless King Charles, Prince William, and all these wonderful veterans.”

Many expressed concern that the living memory of WWII is fading: “They deserve endless gratitude. I fear the day they are gone and younger generations don’t understand what was sacrificed to give them the freedom they have. We must not forget.”

These sentiments reflect a growing conversation in the UK about the importance of preserving first-hand accounts of major historical events as veteran numbers decline each year (ITV News).

Prince William Urges British Teens to Wear Their Poppies

Earlier in the day, William appeared in a special video message aimed at young people aged nine to fourteen, encouraging them to wear their red poppies and to take time to learn about the meaning behind Remembrance Day.

“Armistice Day is an important time for us to stop and reflect; it is a reminder that Remembrance is for everyone,” he said.

“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. It’s not just about the past—it’s about shaping who we become in the future.”

The prince added that Remembrance teaches “empathy, resilience, and responsibility,” emphasizing that wearing a poppy or observing a moment of silence is a way of saying: “Thank you. We have not forgotten and we will not forget.”

He concluded by noting that coming together as a community “is a vital way to honour those whose service keeps us safe.”

William’s message followed his appearance at Sunday’s National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, where he laid a wreath in honour of the fallen alongside other senior royals.