The Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex have paid tribute to the heroes of D-Day at commemorations in Britain.
Prince Harry, 34, donned military uniform to attend Founder’s Day at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, in London, where he met D-Day veterans and Chelsea Pensioners.
Meanwhile his brother Prince William, 36, delivered a speech to veterans and military personnel at a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.
The brothers, who both served in the Armed Forces, are leading services in the UK while their father Prince Charles, 70, joins world leaders for events in Normandy.
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Prince Harry, 34, donned military uniform to attend Founder’s Day at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, in London, where he met D-Day veterans and Chelsea Pensioners. The royal spent time chatting to Chelsea Pensioners, pictured
The Duke of Sussex represented the Royal Family at the event, which marks the founding of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. This year it coincides with the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and veterans who served in the Normandy landings are taking part
Meanwhile his brother Prince William, 36, delivered a speech to veterans and military personnel at a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire
The Duke of Cambridge holds a poppy wreath before laying it at the Normandy Campaign Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum today, left. Right, the Prince takes a moment to reflect during proceedings
Prince William laid a wreath at the Normandy Campaign Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum today
Prince Harry, a former Army officer, arrived wearing his Blues and Royals frock coat for the annual Founder’s Day parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The parade commemorates King Charles II’s founding of the institution in 1681. This year D-Day veterans are taking part.
Prince Harry joined Pensioners in wearing a sprig of oak leaves in honour of Charles II, who hid under an oak tree to avoid being captured by Parliamentary forces after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
Meanwhile in Staffordshire William laid a wreath at the Normandy Campaign Memorial, along with dignitaries and veterans.
A personal message from the Duke of Cambridge, attached to the poppy wreath, read: ‘In memory of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We will remember them. William.’
The Duke of Sussex smiled as he shook hands with a Chelsea Pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London
The Duke of Sussex joined the Chelsea Pensioners for the annual Founder’s Day event at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
The Duke of Sussex reviews the Chelsea Pensioners at the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. A group of guests were invited to observe the spectacle, pictured
Prince Harry, 34, arrived wearing his Blues and Royals frock coat for the annual Founder’s Day parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Right, the prince reviews the parade
The Duke of Sussex praised the spirit of the Chelsea Pensioners as he met them at the Royal Hospital Chelsea today
Prince Harry joined Pensioners in wearing a sprig of oak leaves (as seen left and right) in honour of Charles II, who hid under an oak tree to avoid being captured by Parliamentary forces after the Battle of Worcester in 1651
The prince acknowledged the 75th anniversary of D-Day while also celebrating the Pensioners at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Harry saluted the Chelsea Pensioners as they took part in the annual Founder’s Day parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
The royal said he was ‘honoured’ to be the reviewing officer at the Royal Hospital Chelsea for the Founder’s Day parade
‘You’re seriously good fun to be around!’ Prince Harry’s light-hearted message to Chelsea Pensioners on D-Day
The Duke of Sussex paid tribute to the Chelsea Pensioners and acknowledged the 75th anniversary of D-Day
I am honoured to be at the Royal Hospital today as your reviewing officer once again, on this the 75th Anniversary of D-Day.
Not only is today a prominent historical occasion, it is also a special day in the Royal Hospital calendar – bringing together families, old friends and the chance to make new ones.
Both your founder King Charles II, and Sir Christopher Wren himself would be delighted to know that the institution which opened its doors to the first Pensioners over 325 years ago, continues to fulfil its original purpose of giving exceptional care to soldiers in retirement.
They’d also be amused to hear about the late night cricket in the hallways! Much less the serenading by Colin, who I am told is Royal Variety standard, but let’s assume they haven’t seen your synchronised buggy drill quite yet!
Now I stand here before you to not only acknowledge the incredible contribution you have made to this nation but to acknowledge that you, my friends, are also seriously good fun to be around!
You will always stand out in your scarlet coats and white gloves, but to me, whether I see you at Westminster Abbey, the Chelsea Flower Show, Twickenham Stadium, or the pub, I notice that you are always smiling.
Don’t ever underestimate the joy that you bring to everyone you meet. You represent something really quite special, you are special, and society will always recognise that. That is an important part of your legacy.
Here, I see a community that continues to value the importance of teamwork which military service in particular can teach you.
It’s a community that focuses on supporting each other with kindness, respect and compassion, as well as reaching out to serve the wider community.
I have just visited the infirmary and seen the excellent facilities and care being provided to those pensioners who are unable to be on parade here today. No doubt they’re watching from the windows cheering you all on.
I think we should all be incredibly proud and grateful knowing that 46 of you here fought in the Second World War; many of you in other conflicts including Korea, Malaya, Borneo and that the ‘youngsters’ among you wear Northern Ireland, South Atlantic and First Gulf War Medals with pride.
On this 75th Anniversary of D-Day, I can comfortably speak for everyone when I say we are honoured to be in the presence of six Normandy Landing veterans.
To all who are on parade today, I can only say that you are a constant reminder of the great debt we owe those who have served this nation.
You embody the fitting home that awaits them in the peace and tranquillity of the Royal Hospital, should they want it.
But more widely, wherever you are, your presence is a symbol of the sacrifices that have been made by all veterans to sustain the freedoms and democracy we value so deeply today.
Ladies and Gentleman, could I ask that those who are able to, please stand in recognition of our veterans. We stand together and remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
And for you here today, who have served us so greatly and with such honour, I congratulate you on the smartness of your turnout and the steadiness of your bearing. I thank you for inviting me here today and I wish you all the health and happiness you so richly deserve.
He also met some of those who served in the D-Day landings.
Among those attending is 100-year-old Pixie Jenkins, a former Wren in the Women’s Royal Naval Service.
In 1944, Mrs Jenkins helped drive troops and equipment to Newhaven Docks in East Sussex in the build-up to D-Day and throughout the Normandy landings.
The centenarian, from Aldridge, near Walsall, West Midlands, is among a handful of veterans who have been able to travel to the special service in Staffordshire.
Prince Harry shared a light-hearted moment with some of the Chelsea Pensioners at the event
Despite the serious occasion, Prince Harry appeared in good spirits speaking to Pensioners
The royal remained in London for the commemorations while his father was in France
Reflecting on the anniversary, she said: ‘I think the men that went over were wonderful and I hope the younger people today realise how fortunate they are to have people like that.
‘I think so many youngsters today have forgotten about the men. They look at them and think, ‘They’re old men now’ – to them they’re just old men. And they’re not, they are wonderful, wonderful men that went over. I salute them all.’
It is one of a number of commemorative events being held across France and the UK.
The Duke of Sussex will attend Founder’s Day at the Royal Hospital Chelsea where he will see the Chelsea Pensioners and six veterans from the Normandy Landings.
Meanwhile their father Prince Charles has joined world leaders for a day of remembrance in Normandy.
Charles was adorned in a number of military medals as he marked the Allied invasion on June 6 1944.
The decorations included: the Queen’s Service Order, New Zealand, the Canadian Forces decoration, the New Zealand commemorative medal, and medals marking the Queen’s coronation and jubilees.
The congregation heard a reading from D-Day veteran Kenneth Hay.
Mr Hay, reading from Cyril Crain’s poem Normandy, said: ‘Come and stand in memory of men who fought and died.
Veterans and guests arrive at The National Memorial Arboretum ahead of the commemoration
Proud in uniform, veterans and guests arrive for the commemoration in Staffordshire today
Guests sat in respectful silence as Prince William arrived to deliver his speech marking D-Day
The Duke of Cambridge attended the service in at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire today, pictured, without his wife the Duchess of Cambridge
The royal, who served in the RAF, wore his military medals pinned to his suit jacket
‘They gave their lives in Normandy, remember them with pride.’
Crain was also a Normandy soldier, and landed at Juno Beach in June 1944, four days before his 21st birthday.
He died in 2014 age 91.
Also at Bayeux Cathedral were Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, as well as senior staff from the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force.
Speaking after the service, Mr Corbyn praised the ‘beautiful and inclusive service in memory of people who died in Normandy and ultimately helped to defeat the scourge of fascism’.
imeon Mayou, 96, who was awarded the Legion D’Honour medal shows his photo album as veterans and guests arrive at The National Memorial Arboretum
Veterans and guests chatted as they gathered ahead of the commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire this morning
Veterans and guests at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where Prince William spoke this morning