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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In pictures: Princess Royal in Normandy
Gun salute and flypast round off commemorations
The commemorations for the bravery of D-Day soldiers 80 years ago concluded with a gun salute from the frigate HMS St Albans, which sailed past in the Solent, and a rendition of the national anthem before a flypast by the Red Arrows and Typhoon jets.
The show had featured veterans reading dramatic accounts from the invasion, as well as wartime songs performed by EastEnders star Emma Barton, American actress Marisha Wallace and Call The Midwife’s Helen George.
Music was also provided by the Royal Marines Drummers.
Readings were also given by Jonny Weldon from The Outlaws and Kate Phillips from Peaky Blinders, as well as Iain Glen from Game Of Thrones, Leonie Elliott, also from Call The Midwife, Anjli Mohindra from Bodyguard and Julian Ovenden from Downton Abbey.
Parachutists start landing at Normandy
Paratroopers have started landing near a Normandy drop zone used on D-Day 80 years ago.
In all, more than 300 British, Belgian and US parachutists are due to land on fields near Sannerville, which was designated drop zone K on 6 June 1944.
Among the 250 soldiers from the British Army’s 16 Air Assault Brigade was Sergeant Danny Mawson, a keen historian who wore a smock worn by Colour Sergeant Tommy Alderson, who jumped on D-Day.
Also jumping was Lieutenant Max Phillips, whose great-great-uncle Major William Tighe-Woods landed on Sword Beach on D-Day.
King, Queen and Prince William chat with veterans following D-Day event
After the D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration event ended, the King, Queen and Prince of Wales spent time meeting veterans in Portsmouth.
They were seen chatting and smiling with veterans in the sunshine at Southsea Common.
The King and Queen were seen patting the hands or touching the arms of several veterans as they moved around the informal gathering.
Prime minister reads address by Field Marshal Montgomery
Rishi Sunak read an address by Field Marshal Montgomery, which was delivered to the troops ahead of the D-Day landings.
In his contribution to the commemorative event in Portsmouth, the Prime Minister read out the short address which began: “The time has come to deal the enemy a terrific blow in Western Europe. The blow will be struck by the combined sea, land and air forces of the Allies together constituting one great allied team, under the supreme command of General Eisenhower.”
It continued: “To us is given the honour of striking a blow for freedom which will live in history; and in the better days that lie ahead men will speak with pride of our doings. We have a great and a righteous cause.”
Emotions run high as King and Queen appear tearful during memorial event
King speaks of duty to remember soldiers’ sacrifice
“It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom.”
Charles: ‘The stories of courage cannot fail to move us'
The King has paid tribute to D-Day veterans at a commemorative event in Portsmouth ahead of the 80th anniversary.
He said: “The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity we have heard today and throughout our lives cannot fail to move us, to inspire us and to remind us of what we owe to that great wartime generation.”
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