King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William will participate in events in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Buckingham Palace announced.
They will join other members of the Royal Family in honoring this significant historical milestone.
Charles and Camilla are set to attend the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Royal British Legion’s (RBL) event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer on June 6. This year, the RBL will escort 23 D-Day veterans to Normandy, a stark contrast to the 255 who attended the 75th anniversary in 2019.
Philippa Rawlinson, RBL Director of Remembrance, highlighted the importance of these commemorations, noting they might be the last significant gathering of Normandy veterans. “We invite world leaders and the nation to pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made 80 years ago,” she stated, emphasizing the enduring legacy of WWII veterans in today's freedoms and democracy.
Prince William will attend the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-Mer and an international ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint Laurent sur Mer, alongside 25 heads of state and global veterans.
Princess Anne will unveil a statue of a WWII Canadian Royal Regina Rifleman and attend a reception with the regiment in Normandy on June 6. She will also participate in an RBL commemoration service at Bayeux War Cemetery and an annual remembrance service at Bayeux Cathedral.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will join veterans and their families at the RBL's service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester are expected at a commemorative event at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Domestically, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William will attend the UK’s national commemorative event in Portsmouth, with other Royal Family members marking the D-Day landings over the two dates.
This announcement follows several official engagements by Charles since resuming public duties after his cancer diagnosis. His recent activities include visiting Middle Wallop air base in Hampshire to hand over an Army Air Corps role to Prince William, hosting his first investiture ceremony as king, unveiling his first portrait, and attending a service for the Order of the British Empire at St Paul's.
These commemorations are not only a tribute to those who served on D-Day but also a reminder of the sacrifices made for the freedoms enjoyed today. The Royal Family's presence underscores the significance of these events and their commitment to honoring the legacy of WWII veterans. Photo by Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHOM) Robert F. Sargent, U.S. Coast Guard, Wikimedia commons.