KING'S FIGHTING SPIRIT! HE WILL LEAD D-DAY TRIUTES

DISPLAYING his indomitable spirit, the King will fulfil his duty and lead tributes in France to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

- Emily Ferguson

On his first overseas trip since his cancer diagnosis, the monarch will stand alongside veterans at a Normandy beach to pay his respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Despite having treatment, which has impacted his sense of smell, the King is said to have "insisted" on "playing a full part" in the commemoration, 10 years after his late parents Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh performed a similar duty in France.

Before crossing the Channel he will attend the UK's commemorative event in Portsmouth on June 5.

Charles will be joined by Queen Camilla at both, while other members of the Royal Family including the Prince of Wales will also attend similar ceremonies.

It is a significant turning point in the King's recovery and comes two weeks after medics agreed that he could resume public-facing duties.

The royal commentator Dickie Arbiter welcomed the news, saying: "It is important that he attends because he is head of state and his mother was the last head of state who saw service in World War Two.

"The last time he attended commemorations was with his mother in 2019, which was the 75th anniversary." Mr Arbiter, who served as the late Queen's press spokesman from 1988 until 2000, added: "It is extremely important that he is at the British Normandy Memorial." The D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, by land, air and sea forces of the Allies are the largest amphibious invasion and historians refer to the operation as the beginning of the end of the Second World War.

More than 500 members of the armed forces will take part in the Portsmouth tribute with a 79-piece orchestra, a choir of 25 and Royal Marines drummers. Rishi Sunak will also be in attendance.