Prince of Wales (Charles) says ‘we will always remember those who served and those who waved them off’
The King and Queen looked emotional as they paid tribute to veterans at a moving 80th anniversary D-Day memorial event.
With teary eyes, Camilla looked at Charles as he appeared to wipe away a tear as they sat in the Royal Box in Portsmouth.
Earlier, Charles gave a moving speech to the crowd, saying he was “forever indebted” to veterans.
“It is almost impossible to imagine the emotions of that day,” he added, “and it is our duty to ensure that service and sacrifice are not lost on us and future generations, to replace oppression with forgotten freedom.” Prince William also stressed the importance of “remembering those who served and those who waved goodbye.”
Charles said: “Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go off to fight, wondering if they would ever come back.”
Charles paid tribute to his grandfather in a special clip. Appear in a BBC film airing today.
He read from his grandfather’s war diary and said: “He was very frustrated because they didn’t release him until a few days later. “
Cemetery Fire Lighted
Tonight the Federal War Graves Commission’s Bayou War Cemetery will be lit in honour of those who served. It’s located on the beach.
Tomorrow, Thursday, the 80th anniversary of D-Day, commemorations in Normandy will begin at 7:25 a.m., the day the beach invasion began in 1944.
Standing ovation for veteran who lost legs
A D-Day veteran who lost his legs in Normandy received a standing ovation, including from actress Helen Mirren, when he appeared on stage during the show.
Roy Hayward, 98, who served as a reserve tank crewman and landed on Gold Beach, met members of the royal family. He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, I thought they were super actually, I was most impressed by the way they chatted to me and were so friendly.
“They asked me how I got on and how I had my legs blown off.
“I lost both of my legs but that’s nothing in comparison with what happened to other people and that’s always the attitude I’ve had.”
He added: “It’s gone very well, beautifully organised as it normally is when the military are involved and the Navy and all the services, everything goes like clockwork.
“It made me feel reminiscent and it has made me think of all the people who didn’t come back.”