Queen Camilla has shared a sweet moment with the D-Day veteran who moved her to tears with his tragic tale of how he lost his best friend on the beaches of Normandy.
Tears welled up in the Queen's eyes as former Royal Navy serviceman Eric Bateman recalled his experience on Utah beach - while King Charles also appeared visibly moved.
He told the crowd: 'The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity we have heard today and throughout our lives cannot fail to move us, to inspire us and to remind us of what we owe to that great wartime generation.' Eric Bateman, talks about his best mate Fred who he signed up with, with him on stage are his two great-grand daughters Imogen and Annabel. On screen behind him is a photo of him as a young soldierHelen Mirren is leading proceedings today - and is seen here up on stageA specular Red Arrows flypast over Type 23 Frigate HMS St Albans
'I'm lucky to be here 80 years later with two of my great-grandchildren. So many men and women, including my dear friend Fred, joined up with me but unfortunately never made it.His great-granddaughters then take the microphone to thank all the soldiers of the Normandy landings. Delivering his speech to the crowd, the King said: 'The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity which you have heard today and throughout our lives cannot fail to move us, to inspire us and to remind us of what we owe to that great wartime generation, now tragically dwindling to so few.
D-Day veterans, armed forces personnel and local schoolchildren were among the guests at the star-studded event held on Southsea Common in Portsmouth. It was later refitted and entered active service again following the outbreak of the Second World War. Readings were also given by Jonny Weldon from The Outlaws and Kate Phillips from Peaky Blinders as well as Iain Glen from Game Of Thrones, Leonie Elliott, also from Call The Midwife, Anjli Mohindra from Bodyguard and Julian Ovenden from Downton Abbey.
It continued: 'To us is given the honour of striking a blow for freedom which will live in history; and in the better days that lie ahead men will speak with pride of our doings. We have a great and a righteous cause.' 'Today we remember the bravery of those who crossed this sea to liberate Europe. Those who ensured that Operation Overlord was a success. And those who waited for their safe return.'
It spoke of the moon shining though heavy clouds and the 'row of small ships and of darker balloons silhouetted in front and behind us against the grey sea'. Our guests of honour today are those veterans from the Normandy landing, that came from across our nation and from all walks of life to join in the fight against tyranny. Many of those that took up arms had never seen combat before, some were still only in their teens.
I do not believe that I can now write for very long. We can now see the French coast and very soon we will have to play our part. Today we remember the bravery of those who crossed this sea to liberate Europe. Those who ensured that Operation Overlord was a success. And those who waited for their safe return.''I do not believe that I can now write for very long. We can now see the French coast and very soon we will have to play our part.
The prince said he was 'deeply honoured' to join the commemoration to recognise the bravery of those who took part in the landings. Charles is said to have been determined to mark the landmark anniversary given it will be the last event of its kind that D-Day veterans will be able to witness. William took his place in the royal box today alongside military veterans shortly after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
France's President Emmanuel Macron and Achille Muller , 98, last survivor of the Free French Forces, look on as a wreath is layed during a ceremony commemorating SAS paratroopers and Free French Forces who died Over the course of two days, the King, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a slew of other dignitaries, and-most importantly-those who fought on the beaches in 1944 will come together to remember the battle that became the turning point towards an Allied victory.Yesterday, a slew of former D-Day soldiers boarded a ferry to make the journey from Portsmouth to Normandy once again, retracing their steps 80 years ago.
Akshata Murty, wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, next to Sir Keir Starmer and Johnny Mercer at today's D-Day commemorationsDavid Cameron sips from a can behind Sir Keir as the nation prepared to commemorate the D-Day landings Charles and Camilla hosted four D-Day veterans at Buckingham Palace yesterday, hearing moving personal stories and seeing their poignant keepsakes.Defence Secretary Grant Shapps speaks with service personnel at the event this morning
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