'Living Museum' opened in London

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have opened the Living Museum in London, launching a week of nationwide commemorative events to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The museum is the centrepiece of the Veteran’s Week and a programme of events, which will culminate in the National Day of Commemorations on Sunday 10th July, which will be led by The Queen.

The Living Museum aims to show people first-hand what life was like during the Second World War.

The Prince and Duchess were greeted by Defence Secretary John Reid on arrival and treated to a display by the Red Arrows, who flew overhead along The Mall in an aerial salute.

During their two-hour tour of the museum, the Prince and Duchess tried their hand at manning a Second World War anti-aircraft gun, which was among the many exhibits.

The Prince also placed an orchid on a locomotive, which was liberated from the Japanese occupation of Singapore naval dockyard, in a gesture of remembrance for those who were held as prisoners of war in the Far East.

During a speech, the Prince said: “Our gratitude is everlasting and we salute all those veterans who helped secure victory 60 years ago. It is hard to imagine the sheer terror of the relentless bombing campaigns on our cities and factories, or the incredible hardship that the wartime generation endured.

“I do hope that many of today’s generation will take the opportunity to visit this magnificent living museum over the next few days. It is of the greatest importance that these experiences are passed from generation to generation and it is our duty to those who gave their lives that we never forget the debt we owe to so many.”

(KMcA/GB)