Prince William joins last surviving D-Day veterans at moving 80th anniversary event
PRINCE William looked solemn today joined the last surviving D-Day veterans to commemorate 80 years since the landings.
The Heir stood with crowds at Portsmouth this morning to mark the anniversary of the campaign that opened the path to peace and freedom in Europe.
He stood not far from some of the country's last surviving veterans as they looked back on the day and what it meant for Britain.
The Heir shook Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's hand as he arrived at the event, before Dame Helen Mirren took to the 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 on his chest.
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Wills also proudly donned The Most Honourable Order of the Bath neck order for the first time.
Dame Mirren led the moving event, praising the bravery of the veterans in attendance.
She said: "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."
Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron were also at the event, hosted by the Ministry of Defence at Southsea Common.
Wills is set to be joined by his father King Charles and Queen Camilla at Portsmouth, too.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.