The UK paid tribute to almost 160,000 British Commonwealth and Allied troops who took part in D-Day, the operation to drive out the forces of Nazi Germany, during a ceremony on Wednesday.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak led commemorations in Portsmouth, a major staging post for the key Second World War battle and the main departure point for the 5,000 ships that sailed to Normandy for the operation.
“Today we come together to honour those nearly 160,000 British Commonwealth and Allied troops who, on June 5 1944, assembled here and along these shores to embark on the mission which would strike that blow for freedom and be recorded as the greatest amphibious operation in history,” King Charles said.
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets D-Day veteran Eric Bateman and his family after the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of the battle. Reuters
“So, as we give thanks for all those who gave so much to win the victory, whose fruits we still enjoy to this day, let us once again commit ourselves always to remember, cherish and honour those who served that day and to live up to the freedom they died for.”
The commemoration began with a fly-past by Dakota aircraft before host Dame Helen Mirren took to the stage to narrate a history of how D-Day unfolded and affected those who took part.
France is also hosting its own D-Day celebrations, with President Emmanuel Macron travelling on Wednesday to the western region of Brittany to pay tribute to French citizens who resisted German occupation during the Second World War.
“Let us live up to our legacy of bravery,” Mr Macron said in a speech.
On Wednesday Anne, the Princess Royal, paid tribute to British D-Day veterans as she met former servicemen gathered in Normandy.
She joined veterans and their families at the Royal British Legion’s poignant service of commemoration at Bayeux War Cemetery, where the congregation was surrounded by the graves of more than 4,000 soldiers.
An international ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at Omaha Beach in Normandy, which will be attended by more than 30 heads of state including Mr Sunak, Prince William, US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia has not been invited because of the continuing war in Ukraine.
The Portsmouth ceremony featured veterans reading dramatic accounts of the invasion, including an emotional letter written to a wife by a soldier who was killed the day after D-Day.
“We will always remember those who served and those who waved them off,” said Prince William.
“The mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go into battle, unsure if they would ever return.”
Mr Sunak read the message from Gen Bernard Montgomery, commander of the Allied forces on D-Day, which was delivered to all troops before the invasion.
British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer attends the D-Day national commemoration event in Portsmouth. Reuters
The event ended with a gun salute from the frigate HMS St Albans, which sailed past in the Solent, and a rendition of the national anthem before a fly-past by the Red Arrows and Typhoon jets.
Across the water in France, where the main ceremonies will take place on Thursday, thousands of tourists assembled on D-Day beaches and at Second World War cemeteries.
Veterans and world leaders gather to mark 80th anniversary of D-Day – in pictures
Enthusiasts dressed in replica US Army Second World War-era military attire watch a Hercules aircraft fly over Utah Beach as part of the D-Day commemorations in Normandy, France. AFP
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive with French President Emmanuel Macron, second left, and his wife Brigitte Macron for a commemorative ceremony at the US cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. EPA
Britain's King Charles III, Mr Macron, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron walk by the memorial wall in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy. AP
A D-Day 80th anniversary presidential challenge coin, which the US President issued to US veterans of the Second World War. AFP
Mr Macron awards a US Second World War veteran with a medal of honour. AFP
Flowers offered as a tribute to the US soldiers who died during the Normandy landings lie on the shore on Utah Beach. AFP
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. PA
US President Joe Biden speaks with Second World War veteran Sydney Edson in Colleville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach. AFP
Britain's King Charles speaks during the UK's commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy. PA
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with a Canadian veteran as Britain's Prince William, the Prince of Wales looks on. EPA
People stand by crosses and flags at a cemetery for Americans, near Colleville-sur-Mer. AP
Re-enactors dressed in replica US Army Second World War-era military attire parade along Utah Beach. AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrive in Ver-sur-Mer. PA
A parachutist descends in the lead up to the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre near Courseulles-sur-Mer. AP
People attending a ceremony on Gold Beach in Arromanches, Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings during the Second World War. PA
A military piper comes into shore on a DUKW amphibious vehicle to play a dawn lament in Normandy. PA
A D-Day themed drone display takes place above the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in Hampshire, England. Getty Images
A man pays homage in front of illuminated graves at the Bayeux War Cemetery, north-west France. AFP
Military re-enactors wearing replica military uniforms in Saint-Come-du-Mont, north-west France. AFP
Army veterans arrive at the Deauville-Normandie Airport in Saint-Gatien-des-Bois, north-west France, on June 3 ahead of the commemorations. AFP
Veteran Anna Mae Krier, 98, arrives at the airport from Atlanta, Georgia. Reuters
Silhouettes representing British soldiers who died during the war at Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. Reuters
French first lady Brigitte Macron welcomes Lt Col Enoch 'Woody' Woodhouse. Reuters
French troops disembark from a US landing craft during a joint US and French amphibious landing operation at Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. AFP
Donald Turrell, second right, 98, sits with other D-Day veterans in the map room at Southwick House, near Portsmouth, the UK. AFP
British flags are waved as D-Day veterans leave aboard a Brittany Ferries ship as they travel from Portsmouth in southern England to Caen in north-west France. AFP
The Standing with Giants installation at the Normandy British Memorial, Ver-Ser-Mer, France, ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. PA
US war veterans attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Utah Beach, Normandy. AP
American veteran Bill Wall throws roses into the water during the wreath-laying ceremony at Utah Beach, Normandy. AP
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a ceremony to pay homage to Saint Marcel resistance fighters in Plumelec, Brittany, north-west France. EPA
A soldier salutes French President Emmanuel Macron in Plumelec, Brittany. AP
US President Joe Biden is welcomed by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal upon his arrival at Orly airport, south of Paris. AP
Labour leader Keir Starmer with First Minister of Scotland John Swinney as they sit near UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron at the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, in Portsmouth, Hampshire. PA Wire
Prince William and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attend the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, hosted by the Ministry of Defence on Southsea Common in Portsmouth, England. Getty Images
Actress Helen Mirren takes part in a commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, in Portsmouth, England. AP
Veterans attend a UK national commemorative event to mark the 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day in France in 1944, in Southsea Common, in Portsmouth, England. AFP
White crosses which make up some of the 9,388 graves at the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, near Omaha Beach, north-west France. AFP
The UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, hosted by the Ministry of Defence on Southsea Common in Portsmouth, England. Getty Images
Collectors drove army jeeps, and US, Canadian, British and French flags adorned buildings.
“It's very important not to forget this sacrifice,” British tourist Daniel Reeves, 27, said as he visited the US war cemetery in Colleville-Sur-Mer this week.
It's “absolutely amazing and extremely emotional, especially when you see them, the veterans, and they say: 'Thank you, my friend',” said British visitor Karen Swinger.