King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Wednesday. During the poignant event, the Queen was visibly moved by a soldier’s testimony, prompting the audience to give a standing ovation and pay tribute to the veteran Army soldier.
Prince William, who was also present at the event, delivered a somber statement honoring the remarkable courage of all the soldiers who fought, many of whom were still in their teenage years at the time.
Following an emotional speech by a soldier, the Royals and the crowd rose to their feet, with the Queen displaying a poignant reaction.
Camilla was seen crying while Charles raised a handkerchief to his face as they listened intently to Royal Navy veteran Eric Bateman, who served on HMS Erebus.
“So many men and women, including my dear friend Fred, joined up with me but unfortunately never made it,” the former sailor said. According to the Daily Mail, he detailed how it would have been feasible to “walk across the Channel” with so many vessels involved in the operation.
An emotional looking Queen Camilla at the #dday80 commemoration in Portsmouth today. As King Charles speaks of the “courage, resilience and solidarity” which “cannot fail to move us, to inspire us and to remind us of what we owe to that great wartime generation.” https://t.co/U7acM0fUPl pic.twitter.com/4h9SEB9GDh
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) June 5, 2024
Charles also gave a powerful speech at Britain’s commemorative celebration in Portsmouth, located on the south coast of England.
Addressing the crowd, the monarch 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.”
“It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla in Portsmouth to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the heroes that sacrificed their lives so we can enjoy our freedoms today #DDay #DDay80 pic.twitter.com/OgASloUPKD
— Lee Hood (@Mofoman360) June 5, 2024
In Portsmouth, The King, The Queen and The Prince of Wales have joined veterans, Heads of State and members of the public to remember the troops who, 80 years ago, were preparing for D-Day and an uncertain fate in France.
Click to read more. #DDay80
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 5, 2024
The event marked the King’s first public address and his most prominent engagement since being diagnosed with cancer.
The monarch praised the “truly collective effort” of individuals on the Home Front during WWII, stating that Britain is “eternally” indebted to those who served.
During his ceremony, William wore medals around his neck, including a coronation medal.
The Prince of Wales recited a passage from the journal of Captain Alastair Bannerman, a D-Day veteran who served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and wrote a diary to his wife on the morning of the landings.
He expressed being “deeply honoured” to be part of the festivities, stating that “we will always remember those who served”.