Under blue skies in the UK and in Normandy, the King and Queen, together with other members of the royal family, foreign royals and world leaders, led commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
In a series of deeply moving ceremonies, tributes were paid to both the many lives lost and those forever changed by the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944.
At the heart of it all were the last surviving veterans of the audacious and risk-laden campaign, which turned the tide of the Second World War in favour of the Allied forces.
Commemorations began in Portsmouth, where tens of thousands of troops had gathered eight decades ago on the eve of the biggest sea and airborne invasion in history.
More than 6,000 people watched a poignant concert, hosted by Dame Helen Mirren on Southsea Common, that brought to life survivors’ memories, along with the final letters of some who perished, reflecting on their bravery and sacrifice.
A DAY OF EMOTIONS
The King and Queen appeared moved to tears at points, wiping their eyes, and there were standing ovations as several of the 21 veterans in attendance appeared on stage to be hailed as heroes.
The Prince of Wales, attending without the Princess, who is continuing her recovery from cancer, read an extract from the diary of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment’s Captain Alas ta ir Bannerman, written to his wife on the morning of the landings.
Prince William told the flag-waving crowd he was “deeply honoured” to be taking part, adding: “We will always remember those who served.”
The King was joined on stage by his wife, who looked reflective as he gave a powerful speech, saying: “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 – now, tragically, dwindling to so few.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 17, 2024 من HELLO! UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 17, 2024 من HELLO! UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
AS 'THE DIPLOMAT RETURNS KERI RUSSELL
ON HAVING FUN WITH RUFUS SEWELL, MEETING THE U.S. AMBASSADOR AND BEING STRAPPED TO TOM CRUISE
FROM HIS CHALLENGING CHILDHOOD TO HOLLYWOOD'S HOT LIST BARRY KEOGHAN
ON BEING DRAWN TO STRONG WOMEN AND ENJOYING LIFE WITH HIS LITTLE BOY
AS 'THE SUBSTANCE' IS RELEASED MARGARET QUALLEY
ON MAKING THE LEAP FROM BALLET TO HOLLYWOOD
BUSY MUM-TO-BE AND DUTIFUL DAUGHTER PRINCESS BEATRICE
TEAMS UP WITH SISTER PRINCESS EUGENIE TO SUPPORT THEIR FATHER IN HIS EXILE FROM ROYAL LIFE
CHAMPIONING WOMEN'S HEALTH THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH
HONOURS 60 YEARS OF GROUNDBREAKING CHARITY
AS ONE DIRECTION REUNITE TO BID FAREWELL TO FORMER BANDMATE LIAM PAYNE
HUGS AND TEARS AS MOURNING FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY GOODBYE
CELEBRATING HER GAME-CHANGING NEW CONCEALER VICTORIA'S SECRETS
THE DESIGNER SHARES HER TOP SKINCARE TIPS AND REVEALS WHICH PRODUCTS HARPER LOVES TO STEAL
CHANNELLING MARY POPPINS TO CHAMPION LITERACY THE QUEEN
JOINS CELEBRITIES AND BEST-SELLING AUTHORS TO APPLAUD YOUNG WRITERS' 'ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT WORK'
CONTINUING A FESTIVE TRADITION - WITH A TINY NEW TREAT TO DELIGHT VISITORS WINDSOR CASTLE AT CHRISTMAS
STAFF DECK THE HALLS - AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ROYAL DOLLS' HOUSE
SNAPPING UP RECORD-BREAKING £60M MANSION IN MIAMI THE BECKHAMS
WE GO INSIDE THEIR BILLION-DOLLAR LIFESTYLE AS THE FAMILY PREPARE TO EXPAND THEIR BRAND
