King And Queen Shed Tears At D-Day Commemorations

William joined Charles and Camilla at the anniversary events

- ATHENA STAVROU

The King and Queen appeared overcome with emotion as Charles paid tribute to the “courage, resilience and solidarity” of veterans as part of commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Charles and Camilla joined the Prince of Wales, leading UK politicians and veterans at a major event in Portsmouth yesterday.

Pictures showed the King appearing to wipe a tear from his eye during the event, and the Queen appeared emotional following words from Royal Navy serviceman Eric Bateman. It is one of Charles’s first major events since he returned to public duties following his cancer diagnosis in January. His daughter-in-law Kate was also diagnosed with cancer in January but has not yet returned to the public eye.

Prince William joined his father and Camilla in Portsmouth yesterday as part of the royal family’s efforts to remember the sacrifices of the Allied forces on the eve of the decisive invasion of Europe on 6 June 1944. Charles praised the “courage, resilience and solidarity” of the veterans as he took to the stage at the event.

“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,” he told the crowd. “It is our privilege to hear that testimony, but our role is not purely passive. It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom.”