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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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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Veterans left in tears by commemorative events
Emotional D-Day veterans have spoken of how the national commemoration of the Normandy landings left them in tears as they remembered those who lost their lives.
A total of 21 veterans had a chance to meet the King, Queen and Prince of Wales at the conclusion of the event held in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on Wednesday.
Roy Hayward, 98, who served as a reserve tank crewman and landed on Gold Beach, received a standing ovation when he appeared on stage during the show.
After meeting members of the royal family, he said: “I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, I thought they were super actually, I was most impressed by the way they chatted to me and were so friendly.
“They asked me how I got on and how I had my legs blown off.
“I lost both of my legs but that’s nothing in comparison with what happened to other people and that’s always the attitude I’ve had.”
He added: “It’s gone very well, beautifully organised as it normally is when the military are involved and the Navy and all the services, everything goes like clockwork.
“It made me feel reminiscent and it has made me think of all the people who didn’t come back.”
UK PM Rishi Sunak misses D-Day 80 event to go campaigning
Rishi Sunak will not be attending the international commemoration of D-Day at Omaha Beach with other world leaders today so he can return to campaign in the general election.
King Charles will be at the D-Day 80 event with world leaders including President Macron of France and President of Biden and some of the last remaining veterans from the liberation of France.
The event will also be attended by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, foreign secretary Lord Cameron and defence secretary Grant Shapps.
Mr Sunak was at the heroes welcome event this morning in Normandy where he gave a short speech but then departed back to the UK.
A source said that he is campaigning this afternoon.
Watch: Military piper pays tribute to D-Day soldiers on gold beach
Prince William praises ‘bravery and sacrifice’ of Canadian troops
Prince William has praised the “bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian troops, who gave so much 80 years ago” as he delivered a speech at a D-Day anniversary ceremony on Juno Beach.
He was joined by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, Canadian D-Day veterans and armed forces personnel in Courseulles-sur-Mer in France.
The Prince of Wales said: “On June 6 1944, as part of the 150,000 Allied troops that landed or parachuted into Normandy, 14,000 were from Canada.
“Far from home they stormed these very sand dunes behind me, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of British troops.
“Standing here today in peaceful silence, it is almost impossible to grasp the courage it would have taken to run into the fury of battle that day.”
He added that “most ambitious military operation in history” led to the liberation of Europe but at a “heavy cost”.
Pictured: The latest images from the D-Day commemorative events
Watch: King Charles, President Macron and Rishi Sunak lay wreaths at D-Day 80th memorial event
Sir Tom Jones performs song in front of wall commemorating British personnel who died
Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones took to the stage earlier to perform his song “I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall” at the UK’s national commemorative event in Normandy.
The singer stood in front of a wall bearing the names of personnel serving under British command who died while taking part in the invasion and Battle of Normandy.
His grandfather died in World War One.
Watch: King Charles says obligation to remember sacrifices of D-Day veterans ‘can never diminish’
King Charles III has said the obligation to remember the sacrifices of D-Day veterans “can never diminish”.
The monarch spoke at Britain’s commemorative event in Normandy marking the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings on Thursday 6 June.
“As the years pass, the veterans of the Normandy campaign become ever fewer in numbers,” Charles said.
“Our ability to learn from their stories first-hand diminishes, but our obligation to remember them, what they stood for and what they achieved for us all, can never diminish.”
Some veterans of the 1944 beach invasion were helped from their wheelchairs to stand when the King and Queen arrived for the service.
King says obligation to remember sacrifices of D-Day veterans ‘can never diminish’
King Charles III has said the obligation to remember the sacrifices of D-Day veterans “can never diminish”. The monarch spoke at Britain’s commemorative event in Normandy marking the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings on Thursday 6 June. “As the years pass, the veterans of the Normandy campaign become ever fewer in numbers,” Charles said. “Our ability to learn from their stories first-hand diminishes, but our obligation to remember them, what they stood for and what they achieved for us all, can never diminish.” Some veterans of the 1944 beach invasion were helped from their wheelchairs to stand when the King and Queen arrived for the service.
Veterans in tears as King Charles speaks of his ‘profound sense of gratitude’ to those who fought on D-Day
The King has spoken of his “profound sense of gratitude” to those who fought in the D-day invasion as he addressed veterans during 80th anniversary commemorations in Normandy.
Veterans could be seen wiping their eyes with tissues as Charles made his address at the national commemorative event in France on Thursday.
The King and Queen also appeared emotional during the service, with the Queen wiping her eye as the memories of one D-Day veteran were read to the crowd in Ver-sur-Mer.
During his speech, Charles told the audience: “It is with the most profound sense of gratitude that we remember them and all who served at that critical time”.
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