D-Day – latest: Veteran warns ‘UK on a knife edge’ as Biden says world ‘won’t surrender’ at 80th anniversary

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.

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.

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.

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.”

“It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom.”

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.”