Prince Edward was overcome with emotion today as he attended D-Day commemorations in Alrewas, Staffordshire.
King Charles’ younger brother was seen wiping away tears during the emotionally charged occasion, with his wide Sophie by his side.
During the service, the couple heard drom 97-year-old Alfred Booker, who was 16 when he was involved in landing troops at Sword Beach, according to the BBC.
The veteran recalled how it was the smoke he remembered most at first, with his battleship shelling the German defences.
‘I can still see them young men getting killed right left and centre,’ he said.
Of course these lads wherever these shells landed, if they were near them, they would tear them to pieces, so you didn’t see a man lying there.’
Prince Edward was overcome with emotion today as he attended D-Day commemorations in Alrewas, Staffordshire with his wife Sophie
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh appeared delighted to chat with D-Day veterans today ahead of the Royal British Legion’s service of remembrance in Alrewas, Staffordshire
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh meets D-Day and Normandy veterans ahead of the Royal British Legion’s service of remembrance
‘They had to be stopped and we did, we helped stop them.’
The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared in high spirits today as she chatted with D-Day and Normandy veterans in Alrewas, Staffordshire.
Sophie, 59, and Edward, 60, met veterans ahead of the Royal British Legion’s remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Prince Edward’s wife put on a warm display as she conversed with the veterans and extended her arm around one during what appeared to be a heartfelt conversation.
Today’s event aimed to honour veterans for their service during the D-Day landings 80 years ago.
Sophie was effortlessly elegant in a chic white blazer with gold buttons, paired with an emerald satin skirt with floral patterning’s—the white and green contrasting items made for the perfect sophisticated ensemble.
The mother-of-two added to the glamour with a pair of statement gold pave drop earrings.
Sophie pulled her blonde tresses back into an effortless updo and kept her make-up chic and summery for the occasion.
The Duchess’s conversations with the former soldiers marked some of the lighter moments of today’s memorial event in Staffordshire, as the royal was snapped in laughter with the veterans.
Edward meanwhile put on a smart display in a black suit adorned with medals, a crisp white shirt, and a navy tie with crown patterns.
Elsewhere, King Charles and Queen Camilla honoured D-Day veterans at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer.
Soldiers who took part in the Normandy landings 80 years ago wept as they remembered their fallen comrades and were given standing ovations by the grateful younger generations at a series of touching commemorative events in northern France.
At the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, tribute was paid to the ‘remarkable wartime generation’, before wreaths of poppies were laid in memory of the more than 25,000 soldiers who lost their lives in the first stages of the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.
The number of veterans in attendance was only a few dozen, as the numbers of survivors dwindles with each year that passes – at the 75th anniversary five years ago 255 travelled to France, compared to the 50 who have made the journey this time around.
The wife of Prince Edward provided some lighthearted moments for the veterans during an otherwise emotional day
The Duke of Edinburgh also appeared pleased to chat with veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum today
The mother-of-two looked chic in a collared white jacket with statement gold buttons for the occasion
The 59-year-old added further glamour to her ensemble today with a pair of pave gold drop earrings
King Charles and Queen Camilla led those present, which also included Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron, in a poignant silent prayer to remember those no longer with us, while memories of those who were on the beaches 80 years ago were also read out.
There were also moments of levity, with Queen Camilla being given a white rose by one veteran in a touching mark of respect, with Her Majesty seen clutching the tender gift as she spoke with the former soldiers.
Elsewhere Prince William was pictured attending at Juno Beach, where hundreds of Canadian troops lost their lives, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of an international gathering later in the day which is set to include US president Joe Biden.
At Ver-sur-Mer, Charles led 2,000 dignitaries, military personnel and veterans in paying tribute to those who stormed the beaches.
Charles, along with President Macron, Mr Sunak and military leaders laid wreathes of poppies at the memorial as Elgar’s Nimrod was performed by a brass band in the background, with the national anthems of France and the United Kingdom also being played as the Red Arrows roared overhead.
They were also presented with white roses by French schoolchildren while cadets waved flags, and received multiple standing ovations during the two-hour-long service, before shaking hands and exchanging words with His Majesty.
The monarch looked emotional as he listened to singer Johnny Flynn perform ‘Song with no Name’ in tribute to the fallen, while Camilla was seen wiping her eyes as actor Martin Freeman read a touching diary entry from one survivor who remarked ‘it’s because of the lads [who died] that I’m here today’.
For the occasion, Prince Edward, 60, looked smart in a black suit, crisp white shirt, and navy tie patterned with crowns
Sophie chatted with veterans in Staffordshire today to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings
A veteran enjoyed tea and cake while chatting to the Duchess of Edinburgh at the National Memorial Arboretum
Mr Sunak gave a touching speech at the event saying that ‘only by remembering’ can we ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten. As military planes flew overhead, Mr Sunak led the audience in giving the veterans in attendance a standing ovation.
At the same time, an RAF band performed a marching display while Dakota military transport aircraft, widely used by the Allies during the Second World War, flew overhead. There was also an emotive performance by Tom Jones of his song ‘I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall’
In his speech, Charles said: ‘Eighty years ago on D-Day, the 6th of June 1944, our nation – and those which stood alongside it – faced what my grandfather, King George VI, described as the supreme test.
‘How fortunate we were, and the entire free world, that a generation of men and women in the United Kingdom and other allied nations did not flinch when the moment came to face that test.
‘On the beaches of Normandy, on the seas beyond and in the skies overhead, our armed forces carried out their duty with a humbling sense of resolve and determination – qualities so characteristic of that remarkable war-time generation.
The royal warmly put her arm around a veteran during what appeared to be a heartfelt conversation
The mother-of-two enjoyed a lighthearted moment with a veteran ahead of the Royal British Legion’s service
‘Very many of them never came home, they lost their lives on the D-Day landing grounds or in the many battles that followed.
‘It is with the most profound sense of gratitude that we remember them and all those who served at that critical time.
‘We recall the lesson that comes to us again and again across the decades – free nations must stand together to oppose tyranny.’
Speaking in French as well as English, he also paid his respects to the people of France, who suffered under Nazi rule during the Second World War and who fought for freedom through La Résistance.
Elswhere in Normandy, Prince William paid tribute to Canadian troops who laid down their lives to ensure ‘fascism was conquered’.
Addressing Canadian veterans on Juno Beach, the Prince of Wales thanked them for their ‘extraordinary acts of bravery and sacrifice’.
‘All of you demonstrated heroism, and determination, that ensured fascism was conquered,’ he said.
‘The commitment to service displayed by Canadian troops is a great testament to the strength of the people of Canada.’
Canadian troops were tasked with storming Juno beach, one of five attacked by Allied forces.
The prince continued: ‘Ensuring the memory of those who fought for freedom lives on is why we’ve come together again today – to say thank you.’
Ending his speech, he repeated his appreciation in French: ‘Merci pour notre liberte, et merci pour votre service.’
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