Inside the UK's D-Day commemorations
For once the royals weren't the stars of the show
Hi everyone,
It’s been quite a day down on Southsea Common in Portsmouth, where the King, Queen and Prince of Wales joined commemorations to mark 80 years since the Normandy Landings.
The national event was filled with poignant moments, rousing music and frequent standing ovations for the wonderful veterans who appeared on stage and screen to share their stories.
There was also a dose of glamour from Dame Helen Mirren, who narrated the story of D-Day and actors and singers including Aladdin star Marisha Wallace and Call the Midwife’s Helen George.
But the real stars of the show were the 21 or so veterans who were making perhaps their last appearance at such a large-scale event. I was lucky enough to speak to one of these veterans who made a very interesting observation about how the royals have changed in his lifetime. More on this later, but first a little history…
The Normandy landings
Exactly 80 years ago, each veteran present played their part in the largest seaborne invasion in history, helping to turn the tide of World War Two in favour of the Allied forces.
For anyone unfamiliar with the history, the combined naval, land and air assault on Nazi-occupied France involved 14 nations and saw nearly 160,000 troops land in Normandy, on beaches codenamed Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha and Utah on June 6, 1944.
Fighting continued there until August 1944 and Paris was successfully liberated on 25 August. The war would be over within a year.
But despite this success, there were heavy casualties. More than 10,000 personnel were killed, wounded or went missing on D-Day.
The Queen’s tears
If you’ve seen images from today, you’ll have an idea of just how emotional it was. Queen Camilla’s eyes brimmed with tears at one point and she and the King looked deeply moved by the accounts of some of those who lost friends and comrades in the battle.
Her Majesty seemed particularly moved as the 6,000-strong audience heard from Eric Bateman, who was joined on stage by his son-in-law Keith and great granddaughters Annabel and Imogen.
“I’m lucky to be here, 80 years later, with two of my great grandchildren,” he said. “So many men and women, including my dear friend Fred, who joined up with me, unfortunately never made it.”
I must admit I found myself wiping away a tear as One Day actor Jonny Weldon read the final letter of Captain Jack Lee to his “Darling Olive,” in which he told her: “If you’re reading this letter, I’ve been reported killed,” before going on to ask her to look after their boys.
Speaking to D-Day veterans and their families afterwards, William said: “I found it very moving, all the stories and letters, even now 80 years later.”