In pictures: Events commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day

A beach landing by the Royal Marines of 47 Commando at Asnelles before their annual 'yomp' to Port-en-Bessin, in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Picture date: Thursday June 6, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story MEMORIAL DDay. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA WireImage source, Aaron Chown/PA
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The Royal Marines of 47 Commando beach landing at Asnelles before heading to Port-en-Bessin in Normandy

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Events are taking place in France and the UK to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of France.

On 6 June 1944, tens of thousands of soldiers landed on five beaches in Normandy, northern France.

The largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare played a crucial role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of Europe.

Visitors pay their respects at the Normandy American Cemetery above Omaha Beach on the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 06, 2024 in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Image source, Win McNamee/Getty Images

The sixth of June is a date etched in the memories of generations as D-Day, when mainly US, British and Canadian forces combined to break Germany's hold.

A military piper comes into shore on a DUKW amphibious vehicle ahead of playing a dawn lament on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, June 6, 2024.Image source, Aaron Chown/PA
A military piper comes into shore on a DUKW amphibious vehicle ahead of playing a dawn lament on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, June 6, 2024.Image source, Aaron Chown/PA

At Gold Beach in Arromanches, Normandy, Major Trevor Macey-Lillie, piper with the Scottish gunners, enacted a time-honoured tradition of playing a Scottish lament on the bagpipes.

The tradition recreates the exact moment thousands of British troops disembarked onto French beaches.

People attend the ceremony on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. June 6, 2024. Image source, Aaron Chown/PA
People attend the ceremony on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. June 6, 2024. Image source, Aaron Chown/PA

People gathered early to attend the event at Gold Beach.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke at the UK commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a D-Day commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France.ve event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France.Image source, Gareth Fuller/PA
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a D-Day commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France.Image source, Jane Barlow/PA

"80 years ago, the weather broke," he said, beginning his address, "and the greatest invasion force in history left the shores of Britain to liberate Europe."

Mr Sunak went on to say we "pledge never to forget" what people sacrificed in the D-Day landings, adding that veterans have dedicated their lives to telling others what happened.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by British cadets and French primary schoolchildren as they arrived for the Royal British Legion's commemorative event.Image source, GARETH FULLER/AFP

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were welcomed by British cadets and French primary schoolchildren as they arrived for the Royal British Legion's commemorative event.

They joined a number of Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

King Charles III speaking during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.  June 6, 2024. Image source, Jane Barlow/PA
Veterans looks on during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. Picture date: Thursday June 6, 2024Image source, Jane Barlow/PA
King Charles III speaking during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.  June 6, 2024.Image source, LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP

The King addressed veterans at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, saying allies had faced the "supreme test" 80 years ago and we are fortunate the D-Day generation did not flinch when "the moment came to face that test".

King Charles III lays a wreath during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.Image source, Gareth Fuller/PA

It is the first time the memorial, which contains the names of the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944, has been used for major anniversary commemorations, having been opened in 2021.

Britain's King Charles III (C), Britain's Queen Camilla (3rdL), France's President Emmanuel Macron (3rdR), French President's wife Brigitte Macron (2ndR) and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (2ndL) attend the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony, 6 June 2024Image source, LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP

King Charles III laid a wreath at the British Normandy Memorial, with a note attached touching on the sacrifices made on D-Day.

French President Macron and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak followed, laying wreaths at the event to mark the anniversary.

The Red Arrows with a Eurofighter EF-200 Typhoon accompanying them flypast the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion’s commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 06, 2024 in Ver-Sur-Mer, France. Image source, Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Red Arrows, alongside a Eurofighter EF-200 Typhoon, conducted a flypast.

King Charles III and Emmanuel Macron, President of France, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron D-Day 80: UK national commemorative event, British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer, France - 06 Jun 2024Image source, James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock
France's President Emmanuel Macron (C) reacts after awarding 104-years-old British World War II veteran, Christian Lamb (2ndR), who helped to plan the D-Day landings in Normandy, with the insignia of Knight in the Legion of Honour order, as Britain's Queen Camilla (L) and Britain's King Charles III (2ndL) look onImage source, LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP

President Macron awarded 104-year-old British World War II veteran, Christian Lamb, the insignia of Knight in the Legion of Honour.

Wren officer Christian Lamb, a veteran officer in the Women's Royal Naval Service, helped plan the D-Day landings from Winston Churchill's secret war rooms in London.

Prince William, Prince of Wales (2nd R) meets Richard Rohmer, 100, one of the most decorated Canadian veterans, accompanied by the Prime Minister of France Gabriel Attal (C) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R) during the Government of Canada ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, at Juno Beach on June 6, 2024 in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France. Image source, Jordan Pettitt/Getty Images

The Prince of Wales attended the Canadian commemorative ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, at the Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer.

Prince William was greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, before speaking to veterans including Richard Rohmer, 100, one of the most decorated Canadian veterans.

Britain's Prince William, the Prince of Wales delivers a speech during the Canadian commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy, at the Juno Beach Centre near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer, in northwestern France, on June 6, 2024. Image source, LOU BENOIST/AFP
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Prince William, the Prince of Wales, delivered a speech during the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer.

The Prince thanked Canadian veterans for their "extraordinary acts of bravery and sacrifice".

"We continue to honour every Canadian, who gave so much, every Canadian family who lost a loved one," he said.

Britain's Prince William, the Prince of Wales, speaks with WWII veterans during the Canadian commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II 'D-Day' Allied landings in Normandy, at the Juno Beach Centre near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer, in north western France, 06 June 2024.Image source, LOU BENOIST/EPA

He ended his speech by saying in French: "Thank you for our freedom, and thank you for your service."

Canadian veteran, Jim Spenst, attends a commemorative ceremony for the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in Normandy at the Canadian cemetery in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, 06 June 2024Image source, CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA

Canadian veteran Jim Spenst spoke to other veterans before the commemorative ceremony at the Canadian cemetery, which included a descent by Canadian paratroopers near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer.

A large Canadian national flag hangs from a parachutist as he lands ahead of the Canadian commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy, at the Juno Beach Centre near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer, in northwestern France, on June 6, 2024.Image source, LOU BENOIST/REUTERS
Canadian paratroopers perform during a commemorative ceremony for the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in Normandy at the Canadian cemetery in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, 06 June 2024. Image source, CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA

The US President and First Lady Jill Biden met World War Two veterans at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-Sur-Mer.

U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. First Lady Jill Biden walk as they disembark from Marine One at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 2024.Image source, Elizabeth Frantz/REUTERS
US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden speak with US WWII veteran Robert "Bob" Gibson Image source, SAUL LOEB/AFP
U.S President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden meet a World War II veteran on the day of a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 2024. Image source, Elizabeth Frantz/REUTERS
U.S President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron attend a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 2024. Image source, Elizabeth Frantz/REUTERS

They were greeted by a military fly-past as they arrived for the D-Day memorial ceremony at Omaha Beach, with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

U.S President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attend a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 2024.Image source, Benoit Tessier/ REUTERS

They handed the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest medal of honour, to surviving veterans, ahead of President Biden's speech.

US President Joe Biden delivers a speech, as US WWII veterans look on during the US ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy, at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach in northwestern France, on June 6, 2024. Image source, SAUL LOEB/AFP
US President Joe Biden delivers a speech, as US WWII veterans look on during the US ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy, at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach in northwestern France, on June 6, 2024. Image source, Benoit Tessier/AFP

Following an address from US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, President Biden spoke of the climate in the lead-up to D-Day, and remembered the millions of Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of others killed in "bloody warfare".

He said: "On behalf of the the American people, it is the highest honour to salute you in Normandy once more. God love you."

US President Joe Biden (C), US First Lady Jill Biden (R), France's President Emmanuel Macron (2nd L) and French President's wife Brigitte Macron (L) stand to attention during the US ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landingsImage source, Benoit Tessier/ REUTERS
US F35 fighter jets fly over the US ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy, at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach Image source, SAUL LOEB/AFP

Mr Biden thanked the forces who "did their duty" on D-Day - and asked the audience whether we would do the same in our "hour of trial".

He ended by saying modern nations must be "worthy of their sacrifice" in order to honour those who fought and died.

People attend a remembrance service at the American war memorial in Victoria Gardens on the Isle of Portland in Dorset.Image source, Graham Hunt/Alamy
Veterans lay wreaths at the American war memorial in Victoria Gardens on the Isle of Portland in Dorset.Image source, Graham Hunt/Alamy

Hundreds of people attended a service at the American D-Day memorial in Victoria Gardens, on the Isle of Portland, in Dorset.

Standard-bearers prepare to take part in an annual service to remember the Normandy Landings at the National Memorial Arboretum in Stafford, central England on June 6, 2024.Image source, Oli SCARFF/AFP
104-year-old Normandy veteran John Gillespie (centre left) and Normandy veteran Simeon Mayou (centre right) attend an annual service to remember the Normandy Landings at the National Memorial Arboretum in Stafford, central England on June 6, 2024. Image source, OLI SCARFF/AFP

John Gillespie (centre left), 104, and Simeon Mayou (centre right) were two of the Normandy veterans at the annual service at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Stafford.

A veteran pays respects at the memorial to the British Service Personnel killed since World War II at the National Memorial Arboretum in Stafford, central England on June 6, 2024. Image source, Oli SCARFF/AFP

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