REMEMBER THEM
Emotional Charles says ‘we are in debt’ as he joins teary Camilla to honour D-Day heroes in 1st speech since cancer news
King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared teary eyed as the last surviving D-Day veterans shared their stories
EMOTIONAL King Charles told D-Day heroes and their families that the nation was "eternally in their debt" as he joined a tearful Queen Camilla at today's moving event.
The King and Queen took to the stage in Portsmouth for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
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King Charles gave his first speech since his cancer diagnosis, telling thousands of spectators: "It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice."
Both Charles and Camilla appeared emotional as the last surviving veterans shared their moving stories.
Queen Camilla's eyes welled up as Navy veteran Eric Bateman recalled fearlessly landing on the beaches of northern France - as Charles appeared emotional.
The King spoke after Prince William, who looked solemn as he told the last surviving veterans how honoured he was to stand beside them.
Charles, William and Queen Camilla joined crowds to mark the 80th anniversary since the D-Day landings.
Afterward, they spoke to heroes and their families - where Wills started chatting about Princess Kate and her grandmother, and paying tribute to the veterans.
In a sweet clip that showed Prince William bending down to chat with a 95-year-old veteran he was asked: "I was going to ask you is your wife getting any better?"
William revealed she was well, before adding: "I was reminding everyone her grandmother used to work at Bletchley Park.
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"She had a lot in common with some of the ladies here who never spoke about anything until the very end."
This morning the Royals were joined by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who also took to the stage to pay tribute.
Prince William speaks about Princess Kate & her codebreaker gran at moving D-Day anniversary
Charles gave a moving speech with Camilla at his side, telling veterans and their families: "We are all eternally in their debt."
The King, who proudly wore medals on his chest, said: "The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity which you 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, now tragically dwindling to so few."
Charles said it was our privilege to hear the stories, continuing: "It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom."
Wills stood not far from some of the country's last surviving veterans as they looked back on the campaign that opened the path to peace and freedom in Europe.
He also took to the stage, saying how "deeply honoured" he was to be joining them today.
The prince told the crowds: "Our guests of honour today are those veterans from the Normandy landing, that came from across our nation and from all walks of life to join in the fight against tyranny.
"Many of those that took up arms had never seen combat before, some were still only in their teens."
The prince then read out moving letters from diaries of war heroes, before adding: "We will always remember those who served and those who waved them off.
"The mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go into battle, unsure if they would ever return.
"Today we remember the bravery of those who crossed this sea to liberate Europe. Those who ensured that Operation Overlord was a success.
"And those who waited for their safe return."
The heir shook the PM's hand as he arrived at the event, before Dame Helen Mirren took to the stage.
PM's tribute to veterans
By Martina Bet, Political Correspondent
RISHI Sunak has paid tribute to the “courage and sacrifice” of D-Day soldiers as he vowed they will never be forgotten.
He also insisted Britain must become a country where all veterans are treated “as the heroes they are”.
At the remembrance event in Portsmouth this morning, the PM said about the WW2 vets: "We gather to honour their courage and sacrifice.
"We must never forget how much we owe them. In their memory, we must create a country where all our veterans are treated as the heroes they are.
"And we must dedicate ourselves again to the moral cause for which they fought and died 80 years ago - the cause of freedom and democracy."
Mr Sunak also read an address by Field Marshal Montgomery, which was delivered to the troops ahead of the D-Day landings.
The address read: “To us is given the honour of striking a blow for freedom which will live in history; and in the better days that lie ahead men will speak with pride of our doings. We have a great and a righteous cause.”
Over the course of two days, the PM, the King and a slew of dignitaries and vets will come together to remember the battle that became the turning point towards an Allied victory.
It will mean election campaigning is currently paused as the remembrance events take centre stage.
Wills wore medals on his chest with pride as he listened to veterans sharing their moving stories.
He wore the Golden Jubilee medal, Diamond Jubilee medal, Platinum Jubilee medal and the Coronation medal.
The prince also proudly donned The Most Honourable Order of the Bath neck order for the first time.
Dame Helen led the moving event, praising the bravery of the veterans sat nearby.
She told the masses: "The presence today of some of those who contributed to that remarkable venture is an extraordinary privilege.
"Your bravery remains as inspiring now as it was eight decades ago. Thank you."
PM Rishi Sunak also took to the stage and read veterans' letters.
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Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron were also at the event, hosted by the Ministry of Defence at Southsea Common.
It is one of two of the Royal British Legion's events taking place today - and another is in France.
In Normandy, veterans were snapped throwing roses into the sea as US President Joe Biden touched down.
Rows of veterans could be seen in wheelchairs during a wreath-laying ceremony and more commemorations are expected to take place today.
It comes after a D-Day hero yesterday showed the King the dog tags he wore round his neck — still showing traces of blood from where he was shot.
Arthur Oborne, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, was among veterans meeting Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace.
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He told them: “The dog tags were recovered after I got a bullet through the lung and there is some blood still on them.”
Arthur, 100, revealed he was rescued by a friend and added: “As a family we will never forget it.
“We found he was killed the day after.”
Fellow centenarian Bernard Morgan, of the Royal Air Force, showed off a pair of football boots he carried throughout the war.
He said: “I played 12 games including one on the landing craft going to Normandy.
“There was Army personnel on there.
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“So we decided to have a football match, the Army versus RAF.
“I think it was a draw.
The King laughed: “Oh really, how fantastic.”
John Dennett, 99, of the Royal Navy, recalled how he missed a bus back to the ship the night before because he was out dancing.
But he added of the fighting: “The lads we lost — it was colossal, it’s frightening.
“That’s when you feel grateful.
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“That’s when you feel grateful.
“I class myself as being very lucky.”
Jim Miller, 100, of the 11th Hussars, told the King and Queen: “Remembrance is so important.
“The younger generation must learn about it and take it to heart.”
It was revealed last month that the King is the patron of the Royal British Legion - after taking over from the late Queen.
Mark Atkinson, Director General, said at the time: "The Royal British Legion is extremely proud that His Majesty The King is our new Patron.
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"As the nation’s largest military charity, this patronage honours the special relationship that exists between the Monarch and the Armed Forces.
"His Majesty’s commitment to Remembrance and lifelong support to the RBL’s welfare work is greatly appreciated by our entire community."
D-Day veterans brim with pride and emotion
By Mike Ridley
EIGHTY years after they first sailed to Normandy to liberate France a tiny band of brothers returned yesterday.
Former RAF Sergeant Bernard Morgan and Jeep driver Jack Mortimer, both 100, were among 23 D-Day veterans who sailed from Portsmouth yesterday.
As the 8am ferry sailed out into the Solent sailors lined the decks of aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to cheer on the last of the D-Day heroes.
Crowds flocked to the sea front and traffic came to halt as the Type 23 frigate St Albans and HMS Cattistock escorted the veterans travelling to France to mark the 80th anniversary of the battle for Nomandy when 22,442 Brits died.
Overhead a giant RAF A400 aircraft flew three times around the ship.
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Jack, from Leeds, drove a jeep on to Sword Beach as a 20-year-old serving with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
He fought back tears as he recalled shells and mortars flying over him as he drove towards Caen.
He says: “It was dangerous, there were snipers all around. It was noisy, smoky, smelly and I saw lots of casualties. I saw bodies being brought off that beach.
“But I'm proud of being a D-Day veteran. I'm proud of my medals.
“How does it feel to be going back 80 years later?
He fought back tears as he recalled shells and mortars flying over him as he drove towards Caen.
He says: “It was dangerous, there were snipers all around. It was noisy, smoky, smelly and I saw lots of casualties. I saw bodies being brought off that beach.
“But I'm proud of being a D-Day veteran. I'm proud of my medals.
“How does it feel to be going back 80 years later?
He finally reached the shore at 6.30pm on D-Day – the worst of the fighting was over but dead bodies lay everywhere.
He says: “Gold Beach was one of the better landing points on D-Day, but I can still vividly remember seeing dead bodies scattered all over the beach as I came ashore and that is a sight that will stay with me forever.”
Bernard will remember three pals he lost in the battle for Normandy - wireless operator John Baines, killed by friendly fire, plus Robert Hall and Paul Langstaff who died in an air attack on their truck.