Prince Charles rejects handshake from WW2 veteran
Prince Charles respectfully rejected a handshake from a World War II veteran at a VJ Day 75 event.
The Prince of Wales, 71, and his wife Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall both attended a ceremony to commemorate all personnel who died during the war.
The event was held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Sunday.
Charles and Camilla had approached a group of veterans when one shakily stood from his seat to salute Prince Charles.
He then extended his hand to the heir for a hearty shake.
However the royal did not take the extended invitation while briskly walking to the ceremony at the time and only said just a few words to the veteran.
Prince Charles chatted to the veteran following the ceremony during which he chose to use a “namaste” gesture with the man.
Charles laid down a wreath at the Burma Railway Memorial near Mornington Crescent train station in Camden High Street in London as part of the ceremony.
Thousands of British civilian and military prisoners of war died of disease, starvation and maltreatment while they built the Burma Railway during the war.
The Burma Railway in its entirety is a 415-kilometre railway that runs between Ban Pong, Thailand, and Thanbyuzayat, Burma.
It was built by the Empire of Japan from 1940–1944 to supply troops and weapons in the Burma campaign of World War II.
The memorial to the deadly railway was unveiled on 21 September 2012.
The royal family began finding alternate ways to greet people during official appearances in 2020.
Among these royal members is Prince Charles who was diagnosed with the COVID-19 in March.
Charles, for the most part, chooses to greet people with a namaste gesture - both hands together in a prayer position and a small bow.
Prince Charles also led the UK in two minutes of silence to "remember the courage" of Commonwealth forces who fought during the war.
He told the veterans that the UK would never forget the sacrifice they and their friends made, saying they are "respected and cherished".
“All too often those who fought in the Far East have been labelled the forgotten army in the forgotten war," he said.
"Many of the soldiers, nurses and other personnel felt angered and disappointed at how they were treated when they finally returned from a war which, from the public's point of view, had ended on May 8, 1945.
"Today, in this hallowed place, and in the presence of all those gathered here or in their homes, or wherever they may be, let us affirm that they and the surviving veterans are not forgotten."
He finished up his speech by saying: "Rather you are respected, thanked and cherished with all our hearts and for all time.
"We salute all those who remain among us and offer our most heartfelt and undying gratitude for those who have gone before.
"Your service and your sacrifice, will echo through the ages."
He also honoured his father, Prince Philip, who witnessed the signing of Japan's surrender during the war when he was second-in-command on HMS Whelp docked in Tokyo Bay.