Moment lone piper pays tribute to D-Day heroes as King makes first overseas trip since cancer diagnosis to meet veterans
KING Charles will join D-Day heroes for commemorations today in his first international trip since his cancer diagnosis.
Queen Camilla will be at the Monarch's side in Normandy as they pay tribute to veterans who died 80 years ago.
This morning the song of a lone military piper rang out at the exact moment of the D-Day beach invasions.
At Gold Beach in Arromanches, Major Trevor Macey-Lillie paid tribute to fallen veterans, who led the biggest seaborne invasion in military history, by playing Highland Laddie as he came ashore.
Crowds are expected to gather at French beaches to pay tribute today.
It comes after King Charles yesterday made his first speech since his his cancer diagnosis.
The Monarch told D-Day heroes and their families that the nation was "eternally in their debt".
Both Charles and Queen Camilla appeared emotional as the last surviving veterans shared their moving stories.
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 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.
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"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."
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 on Tuesday.
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.