Prince Charles of Britain has laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in downtown London to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Far East, Sky News reported on Sunday afternoon.

 

The service was the last of a long program of ceremonies that marked the end of WWII. For many veterans it was one of the last major commemorations of the conflict.

 

The Cenotaph ceremony began with a procession of 30 standards, carried by veterans and led by pipers from the Irish Guards.

 

The wreath-laying was followed by a service of commemoration led by Burma Star veteran the Reverend Roy Day.

 

The service ends with the pipers leading off the standard bearers, with the Gurkha Band and bugles of the Royal Green Jackets following.

 

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and the Chief of Defense Staff General, Michael Walker, joined the Prince at the service. They were accompanied by a number of Far East veterans.

 

Wreaths were also laid at the nearby memorials to two wartime leaders who played key roles in the campaign.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2005)