D-Day – latest: Veteran warns ‘UK on a knife edge’ as Biden says world ‘won’t surrender’ at 80th anniversary
Charles and Camilla are among those paying tribute to fallen soldiers alongside prime minister Rishi Sunak, French president Emmanuel Macron and US president Joe Biden
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Your support makes all the difference.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.”
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King Charles and Queen Camilla met with applause as they arrive at D-Day event
The King and Queen arrived at the D-Day commemorative event in Portsmouth shortly before 11.40am.
Charles and Camilla were introduced on stage by host Dame Helen Mirren to a standing ovation and applause from the crowd.
The King greeted the crowd with a wave.
William ‘deeply honoured’ as he delivers a reading to D-Day veterans
The Prince of Wales said he was “deeply honoured” as he delivered a reading on stage at the D-Day commemorative event.
William said: “We will always remember those who served and those who waved them off.”
The prince read an extract from the diary of Captain Alastair Bannerman of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, a soldier who was part of D-Day, addressed to his wife on the morning of the landings.
Part of the extract read: “A long line of flares hangs over Cherbourg, or I suppose it is Cherbourg, and a few anti-aircraft tracer shots go up in the air above the immediate front line.
“Funny to imagine that there (sic) Germans run around their guns. I would like to know what they are thinking. The whole Channel between us and Cherbourg is filled with little ships which all quietly and efficiently sail towards France.
“The British, Canadian and American fighting forces on the war-path.”
King expresses his ‘profound admiration and respect’ for D-Day veterans
The King has spoken of his “profound admiration and respect” for those who took part in D-Day.
In a message in the programme for the D-Day 80 national commemoration in Portsmouth, Charles wrote: “On 6 June 1944, following an intense period of preparation uniting military planning and civilian industrial ingenuity, nearly 160,000 young men landed under enemy fire on the beaches of Normandy. Each of these courageous sailors, soldiers and aviators risked his life so that others might live in freedom and in peace. Many were never to return.
“Eighty years later, it remains our solemn duty to continue to honour the outstanding gallantry, service and sacrifice of those who took part in that perilous mission.
“We do so with the most profound admiration and respect, and with everlasting gratitude.”
Dame Helen Mirren praises bravery of the veterans
Addressing the audience at the D-Day commemorative event in Portsmouth, Dame Helen Mirren praised the bravery of the veterans in attendance.
She said: “The presence today of some of those who contributed to that remarkable venture is an extraordinary privilege.
“Your bravery remains as inspiring now as it was eight decades ago. Thank you.”
William and Sunak laugh as they engage in conversation at memorial event
The Prince of Wales and Rishi Sunak engage in conversation as they wait for the memorial event to begin.
Prince of Wales smiles as he mingles with prime minister at 80th anniversary event of D-Day
The Prince of Wales appeared jovial as he shook hands with Rishi Sunak and political leaders as he arrived at the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Portsmouth.
Prince of Wales arrives at D-Day memorial event
PM’s wife Akshata Murty speaks to David Cameron at memorial event
In pictures: Political leaders and ministers gather in Portsmouth for D-Day event
King and Queen in awe of veteran’s football boots from the war
When hosting D-Day veterans at Buckingham Palace, Queen Camilla asked 100-year-old RAF codebreaker Bernard Morgan, who was the youngest RAF sergeant to land on Gold Beach: “What are your recollections of D-Day itself?”
Mr Morgan, from Crewe, Cheshire, replied: “When we came off the landing ship tank down on the beach, the Army were there collecting the poor soldiers who drowned on the initial landing.”
He showed King Charles and Camilla the sturdy brown football boots he took with him and tied to his backpack in a bid to play whenever he could to forget his surroundings – and revealed that he had even managed a match as they sailed to Normandy.
“These are football boots I carried all through the war. I played 12 games of football, including one on the landing craft going to Normandy,” he said.
The King told him: “I don’t believe it… How fantastic. They’re remarkably well-preserved.”
Mr Morgan joked they are “well past their sell-by date” and revealed that the Army v RAF match en route to D-Day had ended in a draw.
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