Prince William traveled to the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 2024 where he participated in the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. At Juno Beach and then at Omaha Beach, the Prince of Wales honored the memory of soldiers killed in combat and greeted the veterans present during this historic day.
While Charles III begins his speech from the podium of the Ver-sur-Mer memorial, Prince William arrives in Courseulles-sur-Mer, 6 km away. At the end of the morning of June 6, he was welcomed by Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister who presided over this commemorative ceremony organized by his government. Here, at Juno Beach, the Prince of Wales begins a marathon day of commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Read also >> Charles III and Emmanuel Macron gathered in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
“I am honored to join you in commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian troops, who gave so much 80 years ago,” begins William, who has just joined the podium. June 6, 1944, among the one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers allies who landed or parachuted into Normandy, fourteen thousand were from Canada, far from home, they stormed these same sand dunes behind me, shoulder to shoulder, with thousands of British troops. The future king of the United Kingdom and Canada recalls the “heavy tribute” paid by the Allies before paying tribute “to all Canadians who gave so much”.
“Canada and the United Kingdom continue to stand side by side, as in 1944. Together, 80 years later, we are still strong,” continues William, who would like to thank “the veterans, for the acts of bravery and the extraordinary sacrifices you made at Juno Beach and during the liberation of Europe.” “You all showed heroism and determination, which made it possible to defeat fascism.” At the end of his emotional speech, William thanks the veterans sitting in front of him in French: “Thank you for our freedom, and thank you for your service.”
After laying a wreath on the beach, the Prince of Wales leaves Gabriel Attal and Justin Trudeau to meet veterans. There, among these men, almost a hundred years old, ready to give their lives to free Europe from the Nazi yoke 80 years earlier, William takes the time to greet each one, lingers and asks questions, eager to know their anecdotes and the memories they kept from that day.
Then head to the Arromanches Landing Museum – the first memorial built to commemorate June 6, 1944 and the Battle of Normandy, June 1954 – where William spent almost an hour. On the way out, under a magnificent blue sky, he chats with a few soldiers and enjoys a walkabout. Despite the solemnity of the day, Kate’s husband is smiling and relaxed.
Read also >> Kings and queens present at the D-Day commemorations
It is almost 4:00 p.m. when William appears before Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer where the international commemorative ceremony for the 80th anniversary of the Landing will be held. He represents his father, King Charles, who must take care of himself. After warmly greeting the President of the Republic and his wife, the prince joined the 25 heads of state and government. Here, in Omaha Beach, 4,500 people are expected, including 200 veterans, heroes of Operation Overlord. In communion with the world, the Prince of Wales is preparing to pay them a final tribute.
