June 6th. 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord, which saw tens of thousands of soldiers embark from Portsmouth to cross the Channel, establishing a foothold across the French coast, in order to begin the advance to liberate northwest Europe.
As dawn broke on the morning of 6 June 1944 thousands of Allied Warships made their way towards the coast of Northern France. D-Day had finally arrived. Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare was underway, heralding one of the most decisive campaigns of World War 2.
More than 150,000 troops would land on five beaches in Normandy. The eve of the 80th anniversary of D-Day saw tributes to the fallen taking place in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy and Southsea Common in Portsmouth, which featured stunning lighting displays, readings and music to mark the significant moment in history.
As darkness fell, each of the 4,600 headstones of those that fell was individually illuminated across Bayeux War Cemetery, creating a poignant modern act of commemoration. On 6 June, marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the nation got together to pay tribute to all who served in the Normandy Campaign.
80 years on, King Charles and Queen Camilla were two of many who appeared overcome with emotion as His Majesty paid tribute to what he described as “the courage, resilience and solidarity" of veterans as part of commemorations for this special anniversary of D-Day. The King and Queen joined the Prince of Wales, leading UK politicians and veterans at a major event at Southsea Common in Portsmouth.
In his speech, His Majesty said: "The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity we 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."
The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history, as troops from the UK, the USA, Canada, and France attacked Nazi forces on the beaches in northern France on June 6. The 1944 battle eventually laid the foundation for an Allied victory.
The UK and French governments hosted memorial events at both ports to commemorate the D-Day landings. In a speech, delivered before the King and Queen arrived, the Prince of Wales paid tribute to the bravery of all of those who crossed the Channel to liberate Europe and the loved ones who waited for their return.
In his speech, Prince William said: "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."
After observing a gun salute, Frigate HMS St Albans fired off multiple shots as it passed Southsea Common on the Solent. A brief spell of silence then followed before the King and Queen then made departure.
