Summary

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

  • In Normandy, US President Joe Biden says the fight for Ukraine echoes the struggle for freedom on the beaches on D-Day

  • Earlier, King Charles talks of the "supreme test" of D-Day, and the generation that "did not flinch when the moment came to face that test"

  • Five years ago, 225 British veterans travelled to Normandy for commemorations – this year there were 23

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

  • The landings were the start of the campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied north-western Europe

  1. 'We will remember them'published at 11:34 British Summer Time 6 June

    Earlier, Normandy veteran Ken Hay recited a stanza from the poem For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon, which is known as The Exhortation. It reads:

    "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,

    "Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

    "At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

    "We will remember them."

    A period of silence then followed to remember those who lost their lives here 80 years ago.

  2. Marines follow in the footsteps of D-Day soldierspublished at 11:23 British Summer Time 6 June

    Hugh Schofield
    Reporting from Gold Beach, Normandy

    Soldiers walking

    Men from 47 Commando Royal Marines came ashore at Asnelles on Gold Beach, following in the footsteps of their forebears 80 years before.

    Four landing craft that had crossed from Plymouth lined up 50 yards from the beach, the ramps went down, and led by Colonel Will Norcott and Regimental Sergeant-Major Matt Hill, marines waded through waist-high water to land.

    After a brief ceremony, they set out on a 14-mile “yomp” to the town of Port-en-Bessin. Its capture was a key objective on D-Day.

    Passing on the D-Day heritage to new recruits is an important part of today.

    They learn of the places that entered Marine lore, and of the men who lost their lives.

    It helps build esprit de corps, a shared sense of pride.

  3. Macron honours World War Two Wren Christian Lambpublished at 11:11 British Summer Time 6 June

    Media caption,

    Macron pays tribute to heroism of Wren officer

    French President Emmanuel Macron is speaking now and begins by thanking King Charles for his words.

    "The presence of both of you here today means a lot for everybody," he says, addressing King Charles and Queen Camilla.

    He now turns to Wren officer Christian Lamb, a veteran officer in the Women's Royal Naval Service. In 1944, she helped plan the D-Day landings from Churchill's secret war rooms in London.

    "You were one of the heroes in the shadows," he says, describing how she left school at 18 and moved to Normandy.

    In 1939 she got a telegram from her father, who was an admiral, saying the war was imminent and to return to London but she began working as a clerk for the royal navy and then am officer.

    "You have set us an example we will not forget," he adds, before awarding her the Legion d'honneur medal.

    • Press play below to watch the BBC's interview with Christian Lamb, filmed as part of our We Were There project
    Media caption,

    WW2: Christian was a plotting officer in the Royal Navy

  4. Prince of Wales thanks Canadian veterans for braverypublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 6 June

    Prince William shakes hand of a Canadian veteran. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stands next to the princeImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Prince William and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have been at a Canadian commemorative ceremony in Normandy

    Prince William has been at the Canadian commemorative ceremony at Juno Beach in Normandy this morning, thanking 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.

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

  5. King Charles lays wreath at memorialpublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 6 June

    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, PA Media

    King Charles III has laid a wreath at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer with a note attached touching on the sacrifices made on D-Day.

    World leaders including French President Macron and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have followed, laying wreaths at the event to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

  6. Prince William arrives for Canadian ceremonypublished at 10:31 British Summer Time 6 June

    Britain's William, Prince of Wales (L) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R) attend 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, EPA

    The Prince of Wales has also arrived for 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.

  7. 'Our gratitude is unfailing,' says King Charlespublished at 10:24 British Summer Time 6 June

    Media caption,

    Watch: King Charles addresses D-Day event

    The King continues his speech, calling on people to affirm that they would strive to live by the example of those who took part in the D-Day landings.

    He says he prays such sacrifice that they made "never be made again".

    "Our gratitude is unfailing, and our admiration eternal," he ends with, to a round of applause.

  8. The King honours 'remarkable wartime generation'published at 10:21 British Summer Time 6 June

    Britain's King Charles III delivers a speech during the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II 'D-Day' Allied landings in Normandy, at the World War II British Normandy Memorial near the village of Ver-sur-Mer which overlooks Gold Beach in northwestern France, 06 June 2024Image source, EPA

    The King is now describing the "remarkable wartime generation".

    "It is with the most profound sense of gratitude that we remember them, and all those that served at that critical time."

    He says now the veterans of the Normandy campaign are "becoming ever fewer in number", and he describes the "great privilege" of attending previous seven D-Day commemorations.

    "I will never forget the haunting sight and sounds of thousands of figures, proudly marching past into a French sunset on these beaches."

  9. King Charles addresses veterans at memorial eventpublished at 10:14 British Summer Time 6 June

    King CharlesImage source, PA Media

    King Charles is now speaking at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.

    The King says 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.

    "Very many of them never came home," he says.

    You can watch the speech live by pressing the play button at the top of this page and we'll bring you live updates here.

    • When describing the "supreme test", the King was referencing his grandfather, George VI, who broadcast to the nation 80 years ago: "Once more a supreme test has to be faced. This time the challenge is not to fight to survive, but to fight to win the final victory for the good cause."
  10. Sir Tom Jones takes to the stage to singpublished at 10:06 British Summer Time 6 June

    Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones is now taking to the stage to perform I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall.

    Click the play button at the top of this page to watch the performance live.

    Jones' grandfather died in World War One, and is buried in France.

    Jones
  11. 'The allies gifted me a future filled with hope' - French civilianpublished at 10:05 British Summer Time 6 June

    Collette shakes the hand of Antonia Desplat
    Image caption,

    French actress Antonia Desplat shakes the hand of French civilian Colette Marin-Catherine, whose memories she read out in the service

    We've just heard from French actress Antonia Desplat who read the memories of French civilian Colette Marin-Catherine, who is also in the audience this morning.

    Colette's memories start by saying her family knew the "horror of war", adding that the sound of the battleship guns on the morning of 6 June 1944 were "unlike anything we've heard before".

    When the allies set up a hospital near where she lived in Normandy, Colette says she hid her age of 15 so she could enrol as a nurse to care for the wounded.

    She says she feels "infinite gratitude" to those who came to liberate France from Nazi occupation.

    Colette says the liberation felt like a "second birth. They saved me from a world of horror and terror, and gifted me a future filled with hope."

  12. French President Macron arrives at memorialpublished at 09:54 British Summer Time 6 June

    French President Emmanuel Macron and the first lady Brigitte Macron have arrived at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.

    Macron has taken his seat beside King Charles, who he spoke to for several minutes.

    The French president will be awarding France's highest distinction, the Légion d'honneur, to veterans today.

    King Charles III speaks with President of France Emmanuel Macron 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, PA Media
  13. 'War is brutal' - Martin Freeman reads veteran's memoriespublished at 09:44 British Summer Time 6 June

    Actor Martin Freeman begins the service by reading the memories of Joe Mines, second Battalion Essex regiment, who landed on the beach at Normandy 80 years ago and who is present at today's ceremony.

    "Joe Mines, clearing mines. One of our fellows trod on one and blew his leg off. The whole leg went. War is brutal," he says.

    "I was 19 when I landed, but I was still a boy. I don't care what people say, I wasn't a man, I was a boy. And I didn't have any idea of war of war and killing.

    "I want to pay my respects to those who didn't make it. May they rest in peace."

    Actor Martin Freeman 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.Image source, PA Media
  14. Johnny Flynn performs for veteranspublished at 09:40 British Summer Time 6 June

    We're now hearing a performance from British singer and actor Johnny Flynn - as a reminder, you can watch our coverage live by pressing play at the top of the page.

    Johnny Flynn
  15. The King and Queen arrive at British Normandy Memorialpublished at 09:30 British Summer Time 6 June
    Breaking

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for 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, PA Media

    King Charles and Queen Camilla have just arrived to inaugurate the British Normandy Memorial in in Ver-sur-Mer.

    They join a number of Western leaders including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

  16. 'We honour our veterans now and always' - Sunakpublished at 09:29 British Summer Time 6 June

    Media caption,

    Watch: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addresses D-Day commemorative event

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak goes 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 what happened.

    Speaking at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Sunak adds that it falls to us to pass on their stories.

    "Only by remembering can we make certain that the cause you fought for... will never be taken for granted.

    "That is why we honour our veterans now and always."

  17. Rishi Sunak arrives at D-Day commemorative eventpublished at 09:20 British Summer Time 6 June

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has arrived at a D-Day commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France.

    He arrived with his wife Akshata Murty and has been greeting officials. We've seen him speak to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and other military figures.

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

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaking during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-DayImage source, PA Media
  18. Royal Yorkshire Regiment strike up with King due to arrivepublished at 09:15 British Summer Time 6 June

    As we've reported, the King and Queen are expected to attend the UK commemoration event at the British Normandy Memorial this morning.

    This picture, taken by our team on the ground, shows the band from the Royal Yorkshire Regiment preparing.

    Yorkshire regiment band
  19. Keir Starmer arrives at British Normandy Memorialpublished at 09:12 British Summer Time 6 June

    Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps ahead of the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, FranceImage source, PA Media

    Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at the British Normandy Memorial near the village of Ver-sur-Mer in France.

    He was pictured speaking alongside Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who is also at the memorial.

    Western leaders are gathering in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which began the liberation of France in World War Two.

  20. US President Joe Biden arrives in Normandypublished at 08:54 British Summer Time 6 June

    U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. First Lady Jill Biden disembark Air Force One at Caen Carpiquet Airport, France, June 6, 2024.Image source, Reuters

    US President Joe Biden has arrived in Normandy ahead of D-Day commemorations.

    He was pictured getting off Air Force One alongside First lady Jill Biden at Caen Carpiquet Airport in France a short time ago.

    The president will be attending commemoration ceremonies throughout the day.