King Charles and Prince William Honor D-Day Heroes ‘Bravery and Sacrifice’ Remembered

Royals, world leaders, and veterans gathered in Normandy for a series of ceremonies and events, paying tribute to those who served during the 1944 beach invasion. The King and the Prince of Wales praised the “bravery and sacrifice” of D-Day veterans who “served at that critical time” in their speeches in France on Thursday, via Evening Standard.

King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared emotional during events in Portsmouth on Wednesday and in Ver-sur-Mer the following day as they listened to tributes and stories from servicemen. The commemorations provided the royals with a chance to meet some of the veterans, including 98-year-old Roy Hayward, who shared that the King had asked him “how I got on and how I had my legs blown off.”

The events also offered updates on the health of both Charles and the Princess of Wales. The King mentioned he was “doing well,” and Prince William informed one veteran that Kate was getting better.

The final international commemorative event saw Prince William join numerous world leaders at a ceremony on Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was absent from the Normandy ceremony on Thursday, but Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer mingled with heads of state such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

William spoke to Biden, Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the Omaha Beach ceremony. Prior to this, King Charles addressed a crowd of veterans at the national commemorative event in Ver-sur-Mer, expressing his “profound sense of gratitude” to those who served in 1944. Charles and Camilla both showed emotion during the service, with the Queen wiping her eyes as a D-Day veteran’s memories were shared.

At a Canadian commemorative ceremony on Juno Beach, Prince William thanked those who served “for our freedom,” adding: “All of you demonstrated heroism and determination that ensured fascism was conquered.” The early morning commemorations began with a military piper at Gold Beach in Arromanches, who played a lament at sea at the exact moment of the invasion.

During his speech, King Charles paid tribute to the “remarkable wartime generation,” telling the audience: “It is with the most profound sense of gratitude that we remember them and all who served at that critical time.” He emphasized the enduring obligation to remember their stories and achievements. The King wore his Field Marshal No. 4 Tropical Service dress uniform with medals and decorations for the event.

The audience heard experiences from veterans like Joe Mines, 99, from Hornchurch, east London, prompting Camilla to dab her eye before smiling as Mr. Mines waved his arms in the air. Schoolchildren presented white roses to veterans attending the UK’s national commemoration event, while cadets waved flags.

Elsewhere, President Biden spoke at a US national commemoration in Normandy alongside President Macron. Biden said: “It is the highest honor, as Commander in Chief, to be able to salute you here in Normandy.”

Meanwhile, Prince William praised the “bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian troops, who gave so much 80 years ago” in his speech at Juno Beach, joined by Trudeau, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, Canadian D-Day veterans, and armed forces personnel in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France. William thanked the veterans for their service and the freedom they secured.

Sir Keir Starmer described the national commemorative event in Normandy as “moving and powerful,” with a heartfelt message to the veterans: “Thank you.”

Thursday’s commemorations followed a ceremony in Portsmouth on Wednesday, where King Charles appeared to wipe away a tear as he honored the “courage, resilience, and solidarity” of veterans.

In the UK, an 80-strong flotilla of boats departed from Falmouth, Cornwall, where thousands of troops had left for the invasion, while a beacon-lighting ceremony took place in Aylesford, Kent. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined veterans at a Royal British Legion remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester met veterans at a show at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The event, D-Day 80: Remembering The Normandy Landings, was hosted by Davina McCall and featured music from the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, with performances by Lulu, Katherine Jenkins, Emeli Sandé, and D-Day Darlings lead vocalist Katie Ashby.