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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The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, 48, had a private meeting with Charles at his Highgrove home last month to discuss his new role at the charitable organisation.
He said: “It was inspiring to hear from the King about the work of His Majesty’s foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens – and compare beekeeping tips!”
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King and Queen hear moving recollections from D-Day veterans at Palace
The King and Queen have hosted four D-Day veterans at Buckingham Palace, hearing moving personal stories and seeing their poignant keepsakes, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
Football boots carried on the straps of a military backpack, dog tags still bearing blood, and photos of a much cherished wife were among the mementoes shared with Charles and Camilla.
Charles, in turn, read aloud from his grandfather’s handwritten diary, recounting George VI’s D-Day entry about the breaking news of the “successful landings” in June 1944.
King and Queen hear moving recollections from D-Day veterans at Palace
Charles and Camilla invited four former servicemen to the royal residence ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
80 years on D-Day veteran says landings should ‘never, ever be forgotten’
A 100-year-old veteran said D-Day should “never, ever be forgotten,” as the nation prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
Lance Corporal Cyril “Lou” Bird was just 20 years old and a tank driver in the 5th Royal Tank Regiment when he landed on Gold Beach at about midday on June 6 1944.
Speaking ahead of the 80th anniversary of the landings on Thursday, he said that by contributing to the defeat of Nazi Germany the landings had helped bring peace to Europe.
80 years on D-Day veteran says landings should ‘never, ever be forgotten’
The D-day veteran landed on Gold Beach near Arromanches at around midday on June 6 1944.
‘Mankind had lost its way’: WWII veterans reflect on 80th anniversary of D-Day
Dozens of World War II veterans from the US were welcomed by cheering crowds as they arrived in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Many of the veterans are close to 100 years old. They shared mixed emotions upon arriving in the place where more than 150,000 allied troops drove out Nazi Germany forces on 6 June 1944. Over 2,000 US soldiers died that day. “I’m glad I survived it and I’m glad we won the war,” one veteran told journalists. “It was a period in which I felt that mankind had lost its way,” another said.
D-Day events today
Dame Helen Mirren will host the commemorations in Portsmouth on June 5, and military musicians and special guests will lead the ceremony.
The morning will culminate in a flypast by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows.
The Prime Minister will then deliver a reading to the crowds and meet with veterans to hear their D-Day stories to mark the occasion.
In the afternoon, tributes will move to the beaches of Normandy, where hundreds of allied defence personnel will parachute into a historic D-Day drop zone to commemorate the airborne invasion of 80 years ago.
The Royal British Legion will host a commemoration service at Bayeux War Cemetery before the Ministry of Defence and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission host a joint UK-France thanksgiving service at Bayeux Cathedral.
On Wednesday night, as the sun sets, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery will light up in honour of those who fought on the beaches. The light show will be streamed live on the BBC so all can witness the occasion.
King, Queen and Prince of Wales join veterans at D-Day event in Portsmouth
The King, Queen and Prince of Wales will join veterans at a commemorative event in Portsmouth as major events begin in the UK and France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history, with the 1944 battle laying the foundation for an Allied victory.
Troops from the UK, the USA, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the beaches at Normandy in northern France on June 6, 1944.
King, Queen and Prince of Wales join veterans to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day
Memorial events will take place across Britain and France eight decades on from the battle that turned the tide for the Allied forces.
King Charles and royal family to join veterans for D-day celebrations
King Charles III will join veterans for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in the UK and France today and tomorrow amid his ongoing cancer treatment.
Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales will also attend the commemorative events, beginning in Portsmouth today.
The King said his grandfather was keen to visit troops on D-Day, 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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