Prince Edward was overcome with emotion today as he attended D-Day celebrations in Al-Rawaas, Staffordshire.
King Charles' younger brother was seen wiping away tears during this emotionally charged occasion, with Sophie by his side.
During the service, the couple heard the drums of 97-year-old Alfred Booker, who was 16 when he participated in the landing of troops at Sword Beach, according to the BBC.
The veteran recalls how it was the smoke he remembers most at the beginning, when his warship shelled the German defences.
“I still see them being killed right, left and centre,” he said.
Of course those boys wherever those shells had landed, if they had been near them, would have torn them apart, so you didn't see a man lying there.
Prince Edward was overcome with emotion today as he attended D-Day celebrations in Rewas, Staffordshire, with his wife Sophie
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh looked happy to chat with D-Day veterans today ahead of the Royal British Legion commemoration ceremony in Al-Rawaas, Staffordshire.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh meets D-Day and Normandy veterans ahead of the Royal British Legion Remembrance Ceremony
“We had to stop them, and we did, and we helped stop them.”
The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared in high spirits today as she spoke to D-Day and Normandy veterans in Alrewas, Staffordshire.
Sophie, 59, and Edward, 60, met veterans ahead of the Royal British Legion Remembrance Ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Prince Edward's wife put on a cozy display as she spoke with veterans and extended her arm around one of them during what appeared to be a heartfelt conversation.
Today's event aims to honor veterans for their service during the Normandy landings 80 years ago.
Sophie was effortlessly chic in a chic white blazer with gold buttons, paired with an emerald satin skirt with floral embellishments – the contrasting white and green elements created for the perfect sophisticated look.
The mother-of-two added to the charm with a pair of gold drop earrings.
Sophie pulled her blonde tresses back into an effortless updo, and kept her makeup chic and summery for the occasion.
The Duchess's conversations with former soldiers were some of the lighter moments at today's commemorative event in Staffordshire, as the royal family shared a laugh with the veterans.
Meanwhile, Edward put on a smart display in a black suit decorated with medals, a crisp white shirt, and a navy tie with crown patterns.
Elsewhere, King Charles and Queen Camilla honored veterans on D-Day at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.
Soldiers who took part in the Normandy landings 80 years ago wept as they remembered their fallen comrades, receiving a standing ovation from grateful younger generations at a series of poignant commemorative events in northern France.
At the British Memorial to Normandy in Ver-sur-Mer, tributes were paid to the “Wonderful Wartime Generation”, before wreaths of poppies were laid in memory of more than 25,000 soldiers who lost their lives in the early stages of the Nazi invasion. -Occupied Europe.
The number of veterans in attendance was only a few dozen, with the number of survivors dwindling with each passing year — on the 75th anniversary five years ago, 255 people traveled to France, compared to the 50 who made the trip this time.
Prince Edward's wife provided some hilarious moments for veterans during an emotional day
The Duke of Edinburgh also seemed happy to chat with veterans at the National Memorial Arboretum today
The mother-of-two looked chic in a white collared jacket with elegant gold buttons for the occasion
The 59-year-old added more glamor to her ensemble today with a pair of gold drop earrings
King Charles and Queen Camilla led those in attendance, who also included Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron, in a moving silent prayer to remember those who are no longer with us, while memories of those who were on the beaches 80 years ago were also read. Outside.
There were also moments of fun, with Queen Camilla receiving a white rose from a veteran in a touching mark of respect, and Her Majesty was seen holding the delicate gift as she spoke to the ex-servicemen.
Elsewhere, Prince William was photographed attending Juno Beach, where hundreds of Canadian troops lost their lives, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of an international gathering later in the day scheduled 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 poppy wreaths at the memorial while a brass band played Nimrod Elgar in the background, with the national anthems of France and the UK also played to the roar of the Red Arrows. Indirect costs.
They were also presented with white roses by French schoolchildren while the students waved flags and received a standing ovation during the two-hour service, before they shook hands and exchanged words with His Majesty the King.
The monarch appeared emotional as he listened to singer Johnny Flynn perform “Song Without a Name” in honor of the fallen, while Camilla was seen wiping her eyes while actor Martin Freeman read a moving memoir from a survivor who said: “It's because of the boys.” [who died] That I am here today.”
On this occasion, Prince Edward, 60, looked elegant in a black suit, crisp white shirt and navy blue tie patterned with crowns.
Sophie spoke to veterans in Staffordshire today to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings
A veteran enjoyed tea and cake while chatting with the Duchess of Edinburgh at the National Memorial Arboretum
Mr Sunak gave a moving speech at the event, saying that “only by remembering” can we ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. As military aircraft flew overhead, Mr Sunak led the crowd in giving the veterans in attendance a standing ovation.
Meanwhile, an RAF contingent gave a military parade as Dakota military transport planes, widely used by the Allies during World War II, flew overhead. There was also an emotional performance by Tom Jones of his song “I Won't Fall With You If You Fall.”
Charles said in his speech: “Eighty years ago, on D-Day, 6 June 1944, our nation – and those who stood by it – faced what my grandfather, King George VI, called the ultimate 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 back down when the moment came to face this test.
“On the beaches of Normandy, on the seas beyond, and in the skies above us, our armed forces carried out their duty with a humble sense of resolve and determination – the hallmarks of that remarkable wartime generation.”
The royal warmly put her arm around a veteran during what appeared to be an honest conversation
The mother-of-two enjoyed a fun moment with a veteran ahead of her Royal British Legion service
“Many of them never returned home, losing their lives on the landing grounds on D-Day or in the many battles that followed.
“It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we remember them and all those who served at that critical time.
“We remember the lesson that has come to us again and again over the decades – free nations must stand together to oppose tyranny.”
Speaking in French and English, he also expressed his respect for the people of France, who suffered under Nazi rule during World War II and who fought for freedom through the organization La Résistance.
Elsewhere in Normandy, Prince William paid tribute to Canadian troops who gave their lives to ensure “the defeat of fascism.”
Addressing Canadian veterans on Juno Beach, the Prince of Wales thanked them for their “extraordinary acts of bravery and sacrifice.”
“You all showed heroism and determination, ensuring the defeat of fascism,” he said.
“The commitment to service demonstrated by the Canadian Forces is a great testament to the strength of the people of Canada.”
Canadian forces were tasked with storming Juno Beach, one of five attacked by Allied forces.
The prince continued: “Ensuring that the memory of those who fought for freedom lives on is why we are meeting again today – to say thank you.”
At the end of his speech, he repeated his appreciation in French: “Merci pour notre liberté, et merci pour votre service.”
