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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Royals and world leaders join veterans in Normandy for 80th anniversary of D-Day
Kate would have loved to have come, says Prince William as King and Camilla shed tears at D-Day event
Prince William gives update on Kate at D-Day event as princess continues cancer recovery
Princess Anne hails bravery of Canadian regiment
The Princess Royal hailed the “loyalty, bravery and duty” of a Canadian regiment who fought to liberate Europe with Allied forces 80 years ago.
Anne’s words of tribute came as she unveiled a statue in Normandy of a rifleman from the Royal Regina Rifles, shown weapon in hand storming the beaches on D-Day.
The ceremony was in Place des Canadiens in the picturesque town of Bretteville l’Orgueilleuse, where after the famous landings, the Canadian regiment resisted enemy counterattacks head-on, without giving up any ground.
In the tiny square, the princess told guests: “How fitting it is on this 80th anniversary of the landing and the commencement of the Battle for Normandy, that this statue has been unveiled in honour of the Regina Rifles who sacrificed so much for the cause of liberty and freedom.”
Anne, who took part in the ceremony in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regina Rifles, was joined by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
Nicknamed “The Johns”, the Canadian unit was one of the first infantry regiments to storm Juno beach 80 years ago with other Canadian forces.
Prince William says ‘Kate would have loved to have been here'
The Prince of Wales said his wife the Princess of Wales would have loved to have joined the D-Day commemorations as she continues to recover following her cancer diagnosis.
Footage on social media showed William speaking to a veteran, in which he appeared to say “she is” when asked whether Kate was getting any better.
The prince added: “She’d love to be here today.”
He told the veteran about how Kate’s grandmother worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War and was one of a group of women who never spoke about anything until the very end, adding: “It was all very secret.”
Watch: Sarah Ferguson reveals inspiring last words Queen Elizabeth said to her
Sarah Ferguson reveals inspiring last words Queen Elizabeth said to her
Sarah Ferguson has revealed the inspiring last words the late Queen Elizabeth said to her. The Duchess of York joined the Loose Women panel on Wednesday (5 June). One of the topics discussed was women struggling with their confidence, as the Duchess admitted it had taken “a long time” for her to get her voice “out there”. The 64-year-old then revealed: “Just before the late Queen died she said to me ‘Sarhv just be yourself and that is good enough’. “That was her gift to me.”
William meets granddaughter of D-Day letter writer
The Prince of Wales has met the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of the soldier whose D-Day letter to his wife he read out during the commemoration in Portsmouth.
William read the letter written in a diary on the day of the landings by Captain Alastair Bannerman, who was part of the D-Day forces.
Amy Callebaut, 40, from Devon, who is Cpt Bannerman’s granddaughter, attended the event with her daughter Naina, five.
She said: “It was really quite emotional. We had the reading in advance and re-reading his diary entries but the moment of the day and the ceremony and everything else and that it was Prince William reading my grandfather’s words made me feel really emotional.”
On meeting the prince, she said: “He told me that he felt really honoured to read the diary and the entry.”
Describing her grandfather, she added: “He was an eccentric. When he was captured during the D-Day landings he escaped twice and was captured three times in two days and was kept as a prisoner of war until the end of the war when he came home.
“During the time he was prisoner of war he ended up being in charge of cooking and entertainment in the prisoner of war camp.
“He was a family man devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren, he was an actor, performer, a really good fun, really caring, loving man.”
William could be heard asking Ms Callebaut if he “did the letter justice” and had come across as “sincere” before telling her: “I found it very moving when I read it the first time.”
Hundreds race to get first King banknotes
Hundreds of people have headed to the Bank of England to be among the first to own a banknote featuring the King:
Hundreds head to Bank of England to get hands on first banknotes featuring King
The King’s portrait appears on the new £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes and will only be issued to meet demand and to replace ones which are damaged.
King and Camilla shed tears at commemorations – full report
The King and Queen appeared overcome with emotion as Charles paid tribute to the “courage, resilience and solidarity” of veterans:
King Charles and Camilla sheds tears as royals attend emotional D-Day commemorations
William joined Charles and Camilla at the anniversary events in Portsmouth, while Kate continues to battle her cancer
Standing ovation for veteran who lost legs
A D-Day veteran who lost his legs in Normandy received a standing ovation, including from actress Helen Mirren, when he appeared on stage during the show.
Roy Hayward, 98, who served as a reserve tank crewman and landed on Gold Beach, met 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.”
D-Day veteran remembers ‘wonderful’ shipmates who died
A Royal Navy veteran has paid tribute to his “wonderful shipmates” who died in the D-Day invasion 80 years ago and said that history “must never be forgotten”.
Alec Penstone, who served on HMS Campania, saluted fallen soldiers as the Last Post was played at an emotional ceremony in Normandy.
The 99-year-old stood to sing throughout the service at Colleville Montgomery and laid a wreath during the poignant service near Sword Beach.
Some 11 veterans with the Spirit of Normandy Trust joined the commemorations, sitting in the front row of the service.
Mr Penstone and fellow D-day veteran Ken Hay stood side by side as music played to commemorate the anniversary.
Mr Penstone said: “I’m as surprised as anyone else I’m still here, I didn’t expect to be. Nevertheless, someone’s looking after me, they say the devil looks after his own. I’m very lucky.”
The grandfather of three added: “When I realised how many wonderful shipmates of mine died, and I just wonder why I’m still spared.
“But nevertheless it was something that’s got to be down in history and must never ever be forgotten.
“I thank my lucky stars I’m still here to be able to tell the tale.”
King will join other heads of state on anniversary
On the 80th anniversary of D-Day tomorrow, a military piper will land on the beaches of Arromanches-les-Bains at Normandy in a Royal Marines landing craft and begin playing a lament in tribute to those who led the beach landings.
The official British commemoration for the 80th anniversary of D-Day will take place at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, where the King will join French president Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak.
The Prince of Wales will attend events in Normandy including a service hosted by Canada at Juno Beach and an international ceremony hosted by France at Omaha Beach, which will be attended by more than 25 heads of state.
Cemetery to be lit up
Tonight, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery will light up in honour of those who fought on the beaches.
Tomorrow, Thursday - the 80th anniversary of D-Day - commemorations will begin in Normandy at 7.25am, the time that the beach invasion began in 1944.
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