Camilla was overcome with emotion today as a D-Day veteran recounted the horror of losing his best friend on the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago.
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.
Mr Bateman, who served on the warship HMS Erebus, described how you could ‘walk across the Channel’ because there were so many boats involved in the invasion.
And paying tribute to his fallen comrades, he said: ‘So many men and women, including my dear friend Fred, joined up with me but unfortunately never made it.’
Charles and Camilla joined the Prince of Wales, leading UK politicians and veterans at a major event in Portsmouth, where the King gave his first public speech since being diagnosed with cancer.
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.’
Charles, who received a standing ovation as he walked onto the stage accompanied by Queen Camilla, is understood to have been ‘adamant’ he would attend the commemorations as he continues his recovery from cancer.
D-Day hero Eric Bateman’s moving speech
D-Day veteran Eric Bateman took to the stage in Portsmouth today accompanied by his two great-granddaughters.
The war hero, who served on HMS Erebus alongside an American fleet on their way to Utah beach, told the crowd: ‘There were ships as far as you could see, you almost walk across the Channel.
‘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.
‘I’m proud to be here today to all of them and to make sure they will always be remembered.’
His great-granddaughters then take the microphone to thank all the soldiers of the Normandy landings.
‘Without them, we wouldn’t have the freedoms we enjoy today. We will never forget. Thank you,’ they say.
At the Portsmouth commemorations – hosted by Dame Helen Mirren – William read an extract from the diary of Captain Alastair Bannerman, a soldier who was part of D-Day, addressed to his wife on the morning of the landings.
He told the flag-waving crowd he was ‘deeply honoured’ to be part of proceedings on Southsea Common and said ‘we will always remember those who served’.
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.
‘It is our privilege to hear that testimony, but our role is not purely passive. It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom.’
Charles faced breezy conditions on stage as he spoke, with his speech notes blowing around in his hand.
In his programme notes for the event, the King spoke of his ‘profound admiration and respect’ for those who took part in D-Day, adding: ‘It remains our solemn duty to continue to honour the outstanding gallantry, service and sacrifice of those who took part in that perilous mission.’
D-Day veterans, armed forces personnel and local schoolchildren were among the guests at the star-studded event held on Southsea Common in Portsmouth.
The Hampshire port city was a major staging post for the key Second World War battle, having been the base for the vessels and troops heading to Sword Beach, and nearby Southwick was the headquarters for Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight Eisenhower, who led the Operation Overlord planning.
The commemoration, which took place on a specially erected stage, was kicked off with a flypast 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.
The event featured veterans reading dramatic accounts from the invasion as well as wartime songs performed by EastEnders star Emma Barton, American actress Marisha Wallace and Call The Midwife’s Helen George.
Music was also provided by the Royal Marines Drummers.
The King and Queen took to the stage for Charles to give a reading followed later in proceedings by Rishi Sunak.
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.
