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The state of Britain’s military is leaving the UK “on a knife edge” facing the growing prospect of war, a D-Day veteran has warned on the 80th anniversary of the landings marking the start of Europe’s liberation from the Nazis.
King Charles, Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak were among those in attendance in Ver-sur-Mer, France, to pay tribute on Thursday to the sacrifice of those fallen soldiers 80 years ago.
The US president promised the 50 countries standing with Ukraine “will not walk away” or “surrender to the bullies”, as he addressed the crowds, adding: “Make no mistake the autocrats of the world are watching closely to see what happens in Ukraine ... To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators is simply unthinkable.”
He added: “History tells us freedom is not free. You want to know the price of freedom come here to Normandy to look.”
And Les Budding, a former Royal Marine who served on a landing craft charged with providing covering fire for the first wave of troops who stormed Sword Beach, warne: “For many, this is the most dangerous time we have lived through ... I am worried about the future.”
Key Points
- Veterans in tears as King Charles speaks of his ‘profound sense of gratitude’
- ‘We owe you everything’: UK PM Sunak pays tribute to veterans
- Forgotten heroes: The D-Day women who changed the course of history
- Prince William praises ‘bravery and sacrifice’ of Canadian troops
- Macron awards Christian Lamb France’s highest honour
What D-Day events are happening today?
9.30am
- The King, Queen and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to attend the UK’s national commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer.
10am
- The Prince of Wales will attend the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer.
- The Prince of Wales will join more than 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world at the official international ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer.
- Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to attend Royal British Legion’s service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum.
3pm
- 80-strong boat Flotilla parade in Falmouth. Around 27,000 American troops departed from the Falmouth area to travel to Normandy in 1944 as part of the D-Day landings.
7.30pm
- The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to attend D-Day 80: Remembering the Normandy Landings at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
The Independent View | They did not flinch – and we salute them for that
They did not want to be treated as heroes, and insisted they were merely doing their duty. But the 40 British veterans who travelled to Normandy for Thursday’s moving ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day were rightly greeted as heroes by the French people who thanked them for the inspirational acts of courage that rescued their country from the horrors of Nazi occupation.
Anniversaries have become something of a devalued currency but D-Day is one of those rare, pivotal events that deserves all the attention it gets. It provides a moment to reflect on the remarkable operation that changed the course of the Second World War, and thus history.
The two-day commemoration rightly prioritised the need to ensure future generations do not forget the bravery and sacrifices of the D-Day heroes. But, as the historian Sir Anthony Seldon noted in The Independent, there is much work to be done to ensure that this flame is kept alive.
Read our full editorial here:
They did not flinch – and we salute them for that
Editorial: In his heartfelt address to world leaders on D-Day’s 80th anniversary, the King was correct – that such solemn occasions are a timely reminder that, even today, free nations must stand together to oppose tyranny
Andy Gregory6 June 2024 22:44 1717706965Brigitte Macron tries to hold Queen's hand at D-Day memorial
Brigitte Macron appeared to try and hold Queen Camilla’s hand as they laid flowers at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on Thursday, reports Holly Patrick.
France’s first lady and the Queen, dressed in white, placed wreaths and stepped back to take a moment of reflection when Ms Macron reached out to the monarch.
Ms Macron appeared to slightly squeeze Camilla’s hand before the pair stood in silence by the monument.
Watch: BBC D-Day broadcast captures explicit hot-mic moment
Veterans sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at D-Day parade in Arrmonanches
The mayor of Arromanches led a D-Day parade with a Royal Guard Of Honour on Thursday, with veterans Alan Kennett, Stan Ford, and Albert Keir among those singing “Auld Lang Syne”.
Veterans given standing ovation at international ceremony in France
Veterans were greeted by a standing ovation and world leaders as they arrived at the international ceremony in Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer in France, where president Emmanuel Macron spoke and awarded orders of merit to veterans.
Some of the men wore military uniforms and medals and were greeted by senior guests including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Several of the ex-servicemen clapped, smiled and saluted as they entered the event with many being pushed in wheelchairs by carers.
A veteran was seen laughing with Mr Trudeau as he joked with the Canadian Prime Minister about needing a haircut.
Mr Zelensky and a second veteran shook hands and embraced as the ex-serviceman said to the Ukrainian President: “You’re the saviour of the people”.
Macron presents American veterans with France’s highest order of merit
French President Emmanuel Macron smiled as he presented three American veterans with the Legion d’honneur, France’s highest order of merit, at the ceremony.
Before awarding the honours, Mr Macron said: “We thank all of the veterans being present here and I just want to express the gratitude of the French people.”
He added that the three men had a “special relationship” with one of the beaches before shaking hands with the veterans in turn and attaching the medals to their jackets.
Andy Gregory6 June 2024 19:18 1717696277BBC apologises after ‘inappropriate comment’ captured during D-Day coverage
The BBC has apologised for an “inappropriate comment” that was captured during a programme commemorating D-Day.
D-Day 80: Tribute To The Fallen, which aired on June 5, was presented by Kirsty Young, from the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bayeux, France.
A clip from the live broadcast has been circulated on social media and features a voice that appears to say: “French a***holes”.
A BBC spokesman said: “We sincerely apologise for an inappropriate comment that was captured during live coverage of the D-Day 80 event in Bayeux.”
Andy Gregory6 June 2024 18:51 1717694531Macron pays tribute to courage of veterans and of Ukrainians
French president Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the bravery of those who served in the Second World War and to the courage of Ukrainian president Zelensky at the D-Day commemoration ceremony.
Addressing veterans and world leaders present at the event, Mr Macron said: “When we look at war coming back to our continent, when we look at people questioning the values for which we fought, when we look at those who want to change borders by force by rewriting history - let us stand with dignity and look at those who landed here.
“Let us have their courage. Here, the president of Ukraine – your presence here today shows us this in a very forceful way.”
As his speech ended, a flyby trailing red, white and blue smoke flew over the event at Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer in Normandy.
Andy Gregory6 June 2024 18:22 1717690822Flotilla sails near Falmouth to mark D-Day anniversary
An 80-strong boat flotilla, one for each year since the D-Day landings, has been sailing off the coast of Falmouth, where troops departed on D-Day to travel to Normandy.
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