Kate and William Post Rare VJ Day Message While Quietly Spending Summer Away

Riley Carter here. Okay, but like… why is a short royal post suddenly the internet’s soft-focus obsession? Let’s unpack this without trying too hard.

On August 15, the Prince and Princess of Wales issued a short but earnest social media message marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, the moment World War II ended in the Asia-Pacific with the declaration of victory over Japan. The post, signed simply “W & C,” read in part, “Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served. Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific. We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful. Lest we forget.”

This is notable because William and Catherine have been keeping a deliberately low public profile during their summer break. Their social channels typically focus on awareness campaigns, patronage updates, and the occasional carefully released family image, so a direct commemoration like this stands out as part public duty and part quiet reminder of tradition. The couple chose to mark the solemn anniversary personally rather than via an aide or third-party account, which amplifies the message’s sincerity without fanfare.

The VJ Day post arrives on the heels of a handful of family-centered social releases that defined their summer moments. On July 22 they shared Prince George’s official 12th birthday portrait, shot by photographer Josh Sinner, showing George relaxed in a button-down and a brown vest while leaning against a fence post. That upload also included a joyful behind-the-scenes montage of George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis laughing together during the photoshoot and holding baby Louis up in the air. The birthday caption was breezy and familiar: “12 today!” with a confetti emoji, a small, millennial-friendly nod to informal royal messaging.

Earlier in the season the couple posted a Father’s Day snapshot from the same session, featuring William with his three children piled on top of him in affectionate, candid frames. The caption read, “Happy Father’s Day, Papa (before and after!). We love you! G, C & L,” revealing the personal sign-off style the couple uses when choosing to speak directly.

There were other items on the royal docket this summer. Kate pulled out of Royal Ascot at short notice, a withdrawal confirmed by Kensington Palace and reported to outlets including NBC News. The palace noted her disappointment and framed the absence as part of her ongoing process of balancing public duty and personal well-being. Separately, royal headlines included Peter Phillips announcing his engagement to Harriet Sperling on August 1, and Queen Camilla making history by receiving the honorary title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom the day before her 78th birthday, a first for a woman in that role.

Taken together, the VJ Day message and the family photo drops sketch a portrait of a working royal couple who are simultaneously mindful of tradition and careful about their public cadence. Whether they’re honoring wartime sacrifice in a direct note or sharing slice-of-life portraits of their kids, William and Catherine are calibrating how much intimacy they reveal and when. Less is more, apparently, and this concise VJ Day tribute is proof that a short, solemn statement can land harder than a full-blown public tour.

Anyway, that’s the deal. Do with it what you will.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, NBC News, Hello!
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed