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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Brigitte Macron tries to hold Queen's hand at D-Day memorial
Brigitte Macron appeared to try and hold Queen Camilla’s hand as they laid flowers at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on Thursday, reports Holly Patrick.
France’s first lady and the Queen, dressed in white, placed wreaths and stepped back to take a moment of reflection when Ms Macron reached out to the monarch.
Ms Macron appeared to slightly squeeze Camilla’s hand before the pair stood in silence by the monument.
Watch: BBC D-Day broadcast captures explicit hot-mic moment
Veterans sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at D-Day parade in Arrmonanches
The mayor of Arromanches led a D-Day parade with a Royal Guard Of Honour on Thursday, with veterans Alan Kennett, Stan Ford, and Albert Keir among those singing “Auld Lang Syne”.
Veterans given standing ovation at international ceremony in France
Veterans were greeted by a standing ovation and world leaders as they arrived at the international ceremony in Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer in France, where president Emmanuel Macron spoke and awarded orders of merit to veterans.
Some of the men wore military uniforms and medals and were greeted by senior guests including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Several of the ex-servicemen clapped, smiled and saluted as they entered the event with many being pushed in wheelchairs by carers.
A veteran was seen laughing with Mr Trudeau as he joked with the Canadian Prime Minister about needing a haircut.
Mr Zelensky and a second veteran shook hands and embraced as the ex-serviceman said to the Ukrainian President: “You’re the saviour of the people”.
Macron presents American veterans with France’s highest order of merit
French President Emmanuel Macron smiled as he presented three American veterans with the Legion d’honneur, France’s highest order of merit, at the ceremony.
Before awarding the honours, Mr Macron said: “We thank all of the veterans being present here and I just want to express the gratitude of the French people.”
He added that the three men had a “special relationship” with one of the beaches before shaking hands with the veterans in turn and attaching the medals to their jackets.
BBC apologises after ‘inappropriate comment’ captured during D-Day coverage
The BBC has apologised for an “inappropriate comment” that was captured during a programme commemorating D-Day.
D-Day 80: Tribute To The Fallen, which aired on June 5, was presented by Kirsty Young, from the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bayeux, France.
A clip from the live broadcast has been circulated on social media and features a voice that appears to say: “French a***holes”.
A BBC spokesman said: “We sincerely apologise for an inappropriate comment that was captured during live coverage of the D-Day 80 event in Bayeux.”
Macron pays tribute to courage of veterans and of Ukrainians
French president Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the bravery of those who served in the Second World War and to the courage of Ukrainian president Zelensky at the D-Day commemoration ceremony.
Addressing veterans and world leaders present at the event, Mr Macron said: “When we look at war coming back to our continent, when we look at people questioning the values for which we fought, when we look at those who want to change borders by force by rewriting history - let us stand with dignity and look at those who landed here.
“Let us have their courage. Here, the president of Ukraine – your presence here today shows us this in a very forceful way.”
As his speech ended, a flyby trailing red, white and blue smoke flew over the event at Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer in Normandy.
Flotilla sails near Falmouth to mark D-Day anniversary
An 80-strong boat flotilla, one for each year since the D-Day landings, has been sailing off the coast of Falmouth, where troops departed on D-Day to travel to Normandy.
British paratroopers had to get passports checked after D-Day event jump into France
British paratroopers were made to show their passports after parachuting into France ahead of D-Day commemorations, my colleague Jabed Ahmed reports.
Hundreds of soldiers parachuted into the same rural drop zone which was used on D-Day 80 years ago in Sannerville, Normandy, on Wednesday.
More than 300 troops jumped into the field, including parachutists from Belgium and the US. As they landed, they were met by a makeshift customs desk and asked to produce their travel documents by French immigration officials. Crowds also went to watch the jump and the troops were applauded after landing.
British paratroopers get passports checked after jump into France
More than 300 troops parachuted into the same rural drop zone which was used on D-Day 80 years ago in Sannerville, Normandy
Zelensky applauded at Omaha Beach
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska received a huge round of applause when they arrived at the site of Omaha Beach in Normandy for the international ceremony, marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron greeted all their senior guests, heads of state or their representatives from around the world, and giant screens showed them warmly welcoming the couple.
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