Donald Trump makes pledge for peace at D-Day commemorations

Signatories of the proclamation committed to ensuring the horrors of the Second World War are never repeated again

France's Emmanuel Macron, Britain's prime minister Theresa May, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Greece President Prokopis Pavlopoulos attending the D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth. EPA

Donald Trump, Theresa May and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Getty

US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May attend a joint press conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth office in London on June 4, 2019. AFP

A Trump supporter is wrapped in an Israeli flag as they counter a demonstration against the state visit in central London on June 4, 2019. AFP

Demonstrators gather to listen to Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the UK opposition Labour party, speak during an anti-Trump demonstration in London. Bloomberg

Protesters during a demonstration in London. Bloomberg

Anti-Trump signs are seen during a rally in London. Reuters

Donald Trump and Theresa May attend a joint press conference at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office during the second day of his state visit. Getty

First lady Melania Trump and Theresa May's husband Philip attend a garden party at 10 Downing Street in London. Reuters

Demonstrators take part in a protest against Donald Trump in Trafalgar Square, London. Reuters

Donald Trump looks on ahead of a dinner with Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Winfield House. Reuters

Journalists take photos of place settings for the Return Dinner at Winfield House, the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America to the UK, in Regent's Park, London. AP

Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host a dinner for Britain's Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Winfield House, during their state visit in London. Reuters

The dining room ahead of the dinner hosted by Donald Trump and Melania Trump at Winfield House for Britain's Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during their state visit in London. Reuters

Guests attend a dinner at Winfield House, the residence of the US Ambassador, where US President Trump is staying whilst in London. AFP

President Donald Trump and the Prince of Wales raise their glasses in a toast at the Return Dinner at Winfield House, the residence of the US Ambassador to the UK, in Regent's Park in London. AP

Donald Trump, Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at the Return Dinner at Winfield House. AP

US President Donald Trump has joined the UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May and representatives from 14 other countries in Portsmouth on Wednesday, where they signed a D-Day proclamation pledging to work together to “resolve international tensions peacefully”.

The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings - the allied invasion of northern France during the Second World War - coincides with the final day of the president’s state visit to the UK.

Mr Trump read the same prayer read by President Roosevelt ahead of the D-Day landings at the ceremony, in which he was also joined by Queen Elizabeth II and 300 veterans, the youngest of whom are in their 90s.

Speaking at the event, the 93-year-old British monarch expressed her gratitude to the veterans on behalf of the “whole free world”.

She said: "When I attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings, some thought it might be the last such event.

"But the wartime generation, my generation, is resilient."

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and France’s president Emmanuel Macron were among the world leaders who travelled to Portsmouth, which was the departure point for the largest seaborne assault in history, involving 156,000 US, British, Canadian and other Allied troops.

The signatories of the proclamation must commit to ensuring the horrors of the war are never repeated again.

"Over the last 75 years, our nations have stood up for peace in Europe and globally, for democracy, tolerance and the rule of law," the statement reads.

"We re-commit today to those shared values because they support the stability and prosperity of our nations and our people. We will work together as allies and friends to defend these freedoms whenever they are threatened."

In an interview earlier on Wednesday with British broadcaster ITV, Mr Trump said there was "always a chance" the US would go to war with Iran if Tehran developed its nuclear weapon programme.

However, Mr Trump added that he did not want to go to war and would be prepared to talk with Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani.

In a wide-ranging interview, the president said those who fought in D-Day had paid the "ultimate debt".

"That may have been the greatest battle ever in history," he said.

The president met Conservative Party leadership hopeful Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday morning before the ceremony.

Mr Trump spoke to Boris Johnson, another candidate hoping to replace Mrs May when she resigns on Friday, over the phone on Tuesday evening.

Tweeting on Wednesday morning, the president said he could see a "very big Trade Deal" between the two nations in the future.

The president flew to Ireland after the commemorations, where he will hold talks with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar and visit his golf course, Doonbeg.