The King and Queen, along with Camilla, looked emotional as they paid tribute to veterans at a moving 80th-anniversary D-Day memorial event. Charles wiped away a tear as he sat in the Royal Box in Portsmouth, delivering a poignant speech expressing gratitude to veterans and emphasizing the importance of remembering their service and sacrifice. Reading aloud from his grandfather George VI’s wartime diary, Charles shared a personal anecdote about his grandfather’s determination to go to war on D-Day, highlighting the emotional connection to the historic event. Prince William also stressed the significance of remembering those who served and the families who watched them go off to battle, acknowledging the uncertainty and sacrifice involved.
D-Day 2024 latest: King Charles and Queen Camilla pay tribute to ‘courageous’ troops at 80th anniversary
King Charles reads diary entry from grandfather George VI on D-Day anniversary
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The King and Queen looked emotional as they paid tribute to veterans at a moving 80th anniversary D-Day memorial event.
With teary eyes, Camilla looked at Charles as he appeared to wipe away a tear as they sat in the Royal Box in Portsmouth.
Earlier, Charles addressed the crowd in a poignant speech as he said we are “eternally in debt” to veterans.
“It is a near-impossible task to imagine the emotion of that day,” he said, adding: “It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom.”
Prince William also emphasised the importance of remembering “those who served and those who waved them off”.
He said: “The mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go into battle, unsure if they would ever return.”
Charles honoured his grandfather in a special clip that will be part of a BBC film to be broadcast today.
Reading aloud from his grandfather’s wartime diary, he says: “My grandfather was so determined to go. He got very frustrated because they wouldn’t let him go until several days later.”
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Watch: Prince William reveals why Princess Charlotte not looking forward to school
Prince William reveals reason why Princess Charlotte is not looking forward to school
The Prince of Wales has revealed his daughter Princess Charlotte is not looking forward to school at the moment as she is sitting her exams. The Prince was asked where his daughter was when he met with the family of a World War Two soldier at commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Wednesday (5 June). William met with the family of Captain Alastair Bannerman, whose diary extract he read out at the service in Portsmouth. Captain Bannerman’s great-granddaughter asked the future King where Charlotte was. William told the young girl that Charlotte had today been sitting exams.
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 21:01
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I’d love to ask him questions, says Nazi soldier’s grandson
A British paratrooper whose grandfather fought for the Nazis on D-Day has said he would “love to turn back time” and question him.
Captain Maik Biggs was among 250 soldiers from the Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade who landed on fields near Sannerville in Normandy, which was designated drop zone K in 1944.
His grandfather Obergefreiter Gustav Koster, the equivalent of lance corporal, was stationed in Normandy with the German 915th Grenadier Regiment when the allies invaded.
The unit was held in reserve near Bayeux and moved towards the beaches following the first sightings of the landing fleet.
His grandfather later became a prisoner of war before returning to Germany. He died in 1998.
Mr Briggs, who was born and raised near Stadthagen in Germany, siad: “My grandfather was a mundane soldier, he had to fight for Germany back then.
“I do think about him often, he survived the war, I vividly remember growing up clearly too young to understand what he went through.”
He added: “I’d love to turn back time and ask him a few questions.”
Captain Maik Biggs, of the 16 Medical Regiment, whose grandfather fought for the Nazis (Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 20:00
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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.
Anne attends a ceremony for unveiling the statue of a Canadian rifleman (Reuters)
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 19:30
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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.”
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 19:00
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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.”
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 18:30
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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.”
The Prince of Wales meets Amy Callebaut and her daughter Naina (Ben Mitchell/PA Wire)
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 18:01
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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:
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 17:30
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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:
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 16:59
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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.”
Dame Helen Mirren applauds Roy Hayward (Dylan Martinez/PA Wire)
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 16:30
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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.”
Alec Penstone, who served on HMS Campania, saluted fallen soldiers (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
Jane Dalton5 June 2024 16:05
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/news/king-charles-d-day-2024-royal-news-b2556917.html