Sophie’s visit comes in the lead-up to a series of royal engagements to mark VJ Day
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Duchess of Edinburgh will carry out an engagement next week as the Royal Family prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
However, the Prince and Princess of Wales remain noticeably absent from the plans, with no public appearances currently scheduled for the couple.
Sophie, 60, will visit Sarum Manor Care Home in Salisbury to meet with Royal Marines veteran, James ‘Jim’ Wren, who is 105 years old.
As Patron of The Java Far East Prisoner of War Club 1942, the Duchess will sit down for tea with Wren and his family to hear about his remarkable service and survival during World War Two.
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| Buckingham Palace confirms Duchess of Edinburgh engagement as Kate and William remain absent
Wren’s story is one of endurance. He survived the sinking of HMS Repulse in 1941 before being captured by enemy forces while attempting to escape from Singapore in February 1942.
He was subsequently held as a prisoner of war for three and a half years.
Following her meeting with Wren, the Duchess is also expected to observe and take part in a seated exercise class with other residents at the care home, highlighting her ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and older generations.
Her visit comes in the lead-up to a series of royal engagements to mark VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day), which commemorates the final end of World War Two.
VJ Day marked the end of World War Two after Japan’s surrender
This year’s anniversary on Friday, August 15, marks 80 years since Japan surrendered in 1945, officially ending the conflict across the globe.
On the day itself, King Charles III will deliver a recorded audio message to the nation to honour the occasion.
His Majesty and Queen Camilla will also attend a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, paying tribute to those who served in the Far East and the many lives lost.
Despite the significance of the anniversary, Buckingham Palace has not confirmed whether Prince William or Princess Kate will be involved in any official commemorations.
Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William and King Charles pictured on VJ Day in 1994
King Charles marking VJ Day in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic
GB News understands that the couple, both 43, are not scheduled to take part in any public engagements related to the anniversary next week.
Their absence from the VJ Day commemorations has not gone unnoticed, particularly given the involvement of other senior royals.
With the King gradually resuming public duties and Sophie continuing a busy summer schedule, attention is once again turning to the role of working royals during a period of transition for the monarchy.
It remains to be seen when the Prince and Princess of Wales will perform any public engagements in August.
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