In pictures: D-Day 80 anniversary events

Curtis Lancaster

BBC News

5 June 2024

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Southsea common in Portsmouth set the stage for the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Image source, PA
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla took to the stage and said the event was to "honour" the nearly 160,000 troops who travelled from Portsmouth to embark on that mission that would "strike a blow for freedom"
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Portsmouth played a key role in preparing for the invasion of the beaches of northern France in 1944
Image source, PA
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Some Normandy veterans were able to attend for the day of reflection and remembrance, which was hosted by the Ministry of Defence
Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
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Hundreds of local schoolchildren were among the audience members in Portsmouth, some not much younger than the men who set sail from the city for Normandy, 80 years ago
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Dame Helen Mirren took to the stage in Portsmouth, tasked with presenting the commemorations
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The event involves more than 500 members of the Armed Forces, including a 79-piece orchestra, a 25-strong choir and drummers from the Royal Marines
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Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron were in attendance
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Actor and singer Emma Barton and dancers performed vintage musical numbers on the stage
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Prince William paid tribute to those who had taken part in D-Day’s “fight against tyranny”
Image source, Getty Images
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The Red Arrows performed a fly-past to close the emotional event in Southsea

A national event has taken place in a city to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Hundreds of people gathered on Southsea Common in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to mark the occasion.

The city played a vital role in preparing for the invasion of the beaches of northern France in 1944, which became a turning point in the Second World War.

Veterans, Royals and politicians were among the guests at the commemorations hosted by the Ministry of Defence.

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