King's acute sense of duty to honour D-Day veterans

KING Charles made it his personal mission to honour Second World War heroes in person just like his late mother did, royal sources said yesterday.

- Giles Sheldrick

After revealing his cancer diagnosis in February, few thought he could fulfil any duties this year, let alone one as momentous as the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

But royal insiders told the Daily Express Charles, 75, was so acutely aware of his duty that not even a disease for which he is still receiving treatment was going to prevent him addressing veterans at the British Normandy Memorial in northern France.

One said: "It was too much of a big one to miss, as it will be the last major anniversary where veterans take part.

"The memorial honours soldiers who served Britain and the Commonwealth and it is incredibly important.

"He definitely wanted to be there." Charles's address to the 41 veterans in Ver-sur-Mer echoed those given by his grandfather King George VI and mother Queen Elizabeth.