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.’
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.
King Charles and Queen Camilla pictured on stage at the commemorative event on Southsea Common in Portsmouth this afternoon
The Prince of Wales pictured shaking hands with D-Day veteran Mr Eric Bateman after the former soldier had delivered his poignant speech
The Prince of Wales greeted Rishi Sunak at he UK’s national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
The Prince of Wales also greeted Rishi’s wife – Akshata Murty, 44
Rishi, 44, appeared animated as he chatted with the royal father-of-three
Rishi looked dapper in a crisp black suit and blue tie for the occasion in Portsmouth today
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.
The show concluded 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 flypast by the Red Arrows and Typhoon jets.
Mr Sunak read an address by Field Marshal Montgomery, which was delivered to the troops ahead of the D-Day landings.
The Prime Minister read out the short address which began: ‘The time has come to deal the enemy a terrific blow in Western Europe. The blow will be struck by the combined sea, land and air forces of the Allies together constituting one great allied team, under the supreme command of General Eisenhower.’
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.’
Prince William took centre stage at the event by making the opening address, in which he spoke of the families who ‘watched their loved ones go into battle’ as they left for the largest seaborne invasion in history in June 1944.
Addressing the crowd at Southsea Common, William said: ‘We will always remember those who served and those who waved them off.
‘The mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go into battle, unsure if they would ever return.
‘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.’
He said those who fought on D-Day ‘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,’ he added.
The prince read a moving and poetic letter by Captain Alastair Bannerman of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, written in his diary at 3am on the morning of D-Day, just hours before the landings, and addressed to his wife.
Queen Camilla – who had been visibly moved by D-Day veteran Eric Bateman’s speech – pictured greeting him in Portsmouth today
Members of the public pictured watching as the Red Arrows perform a flypast above HMS St Albans, a Type 23 Frigate, this afternoon
King Charles pictured smiling as he walks onto the stage alongside Queen Camilla as he prepares to deliver his emotional speech
King Charles pictured acknowledging a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 500 veterans as he walks onto the stage today
Earlier, William praised the ‘bravery’ of those who took part in the D-Day landings and read an extract from a letter by Captain Alastair Bannerman of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Royal Navy Veteran Thomas Cuthbert was seen on a huge TV screen during the D-Day national commemoration
D-Day veteran Roy Hayward (pictured) appeared on stage during the national commemorative event
Roy Hayward gave a speech during the event, hosted by the Ministry of Defence on Southsea Common in Portsmouth
Dame Helen Mirren (pictured left) introduced the D-Day veteran, Roy Hayward, onto the stage
William looked focused as he applauded the performances and speeches at the event today
Helen Mirren donned a floral dress as she addressed the crowd at today’s event
Performers took to the stage during the UK’s national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
A stage was built for the D-Day national commemoration event, which featured the words: ‘We never surrender’
Prince William shook hands with Britain’s Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, as he arrived at the commemorative event
American actress and singer Marisha Wallace entertained guests with a live performance during the event
King Charles appeared cheerful as he waved to those gathered to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke during the national commemorative event to mark the 80th anniversary commemorations of Allied amphibious landing
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’.
Captain Bannerman thought of his wife and two young sons asleep in their nursery – and photographs of the soldier and his blond-haired children were shown on the screen behind William as he read the words.
”I can imagine how you listen to the news at 9 o’clock and think of me with love. I hope that Andrew’s golden head rests gently and quietly upon his small pillow and that Richard is nice and comfortable lying in his narrow little carry-cot’,’ the prince said.
William continued: ”The whole Channel between us and Cherbourg is filled with little ships which all quietly and efficiently sail towards France.
”The British, Canadian and American fighting forces on the war-path.
”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.
King Charles pictured wearing his military medals for D-Day anniversary event that was held on Southsea Common in Portsmouth
The King, who was giving his first public speech since being diagnosed with cancer, received a standing ovation from the crowds
After his speech, King Charles was pictured taking his seat in the Royal Box alongside his eldest son Prince of Wales and Queen Camilla
The Prince of Wales donned a black suit and white shirt for the occasion to mark the 80th anniversary commemorations of Allied amphibious landing (D-Day Landings) in France in 1944
The father-of-three looked pensive as he observed the event in Portsmouth this afternoon
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – dressed in a black suit – also gave an address at the D-Day anniversary event in Portsmouth this afternoon.
Dame Helen, 78, beckons to the crowd assembled on Southsea Common in Portsmouth
The actress praised the assembled veterans for their bravery, saying: ‘The presence today of some of those who contributed to that remarkable venture is an extraordinary privilege’
A member of the audience watches on during today’s event in Portsmouth. The emotional event was attended by over 500 veterans
Singer Marisha Wallace performs ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ during the UK’s national commemorative event to mark 80 years since D-Day
The performance by Marisha Wallace was witnessed by a large crowd of over 500 veterans and wellwishers in Portsmouth this afternoon
Leonie Elliott, best known for her role as Lucille Anderson in the BBC series Call the Midwife, is pictured speaking at the event today
Service personnel pictured watching from the standds during the commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Portsmouth
A veteran looked on as people gathered to attend a commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Veterans and members of the armed services gathered this afternoon to commemorate D-Day in Portsmouth
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron shook hands with a member of the armed forces as he arrived at the event
Artists are seen performing on stage during the event on Southsea Common in Portsmouth commemorating D-Day this afternoon
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets D-Day veteran Mr Eric Bateman, who delivered a moving address to the crowds of 500 wellwishers
Earlier, William praised the ‘bravery’ of those who took part in the D-Day landings and read an extract from a letter by Captain Alastair Bannerman of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment
”I must go now and look for the landing markings with my binoculars to ascertain our landing points. So, my darling, on we go! I know that you are with me. Au revoir, God bless, I love you!”
William shared how Captain Bannerman survived the landings and the war, was taken prisoner, but returned home to his wife and sons in April the next year.
He added, quoting Rupert Brooke’s famous war poem The Soldier: ‘Too many never returned. They remain in ‘some corner of a foreign field that is forever England’.’
The prince said he was ‘deeply honoured’ to join the commemoration to recognise the bravery of those who took part in the landings.
William delivered his speech before the arrival of the King and Queen, with Charles also making his own address.
During the service, he sat between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
The prince was wearing his Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee, Platinum Jubilee and Coronation medals and his Great Master of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath neck order.
Dame Helen Mirren formerly introduced the event just after 11am by addressing the assembled veterans, saying: ‘The presence today of some of those who contributed to that remarkable venture is an extraordinary privilege.
‘Your bravery remains as inspiring now as it was eight decades ago. Thank you.’
The commemorations in Portsmouth opened with a musical performance and a flypast of two historic Dakota military transport aircraft, widely used by the Allies during the Second World War.
Charles and Queen Camilla will join the Ministry of Defence and Royal British Legion’s commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer tomorrow.
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.
This has been aided by a good recovery that has allowed his public duties to be brought forward by ‘about a month’, a source told The Times.
Meanwhile, William will attend the Canadian ceremony at Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer hosted by the Canadian government, alongside veterans and Canadian armed forces personnel.
The Prince of Wales will then attend the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint Laurent sur Mer, later on June 6 alongside 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world.
William took his place in the royal box today alongside military veterans shortly after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Some veterans will attend two days of remembrance events in Portsmouth to mark the historic milestone.
The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history, with the 1944 battle laying the foundation for an Allied victory.
Troops from the UK, the USA, Canada, and France attacked German forces on the beaches at Normandy in northern France on June 6, 1944.
Allied troops departed from Portsmouth on June 5, so the UK and French governments will host memorial events at both ports to commemorate the D-Day landings.
FRANCE: D-Day veteran Henry Rice, 98, sheds a tear at the statue of Field Marshal Montgomery during the Spirit of Normandy Trust service in Coleville-Montgomery, France
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) speaks with Achille Muller (L), 98, last survivor of the Free French Forces, as they attend a ceremony commemorating SAS paratroopers and Free French Forces who died in Brittany during World War II, at La Gree mill SAS (Special Air Service) memorial in Plumelec, western France
France’s President Emmanuel Macron (center R) and Achille Muller (center L), 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
Princess Royal Anne attends a ceremony of unveiling of a statue of a Second World War Canadian Royal Regina Rifleman during a reception with members of the regiment to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, at Place des Canadiens in Bretteville-l’Orgueilleuse, Normandy
Members of the royal box pictured as they stand and applaud at the start of this morning’s ceremony on Southsea Common in Portsmouth
Prince William is seen talking with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at today’s national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
William, wearing his military medals, pictured alongside Mr Sunak and Ms Murty in Portsmouth at the event commemorating D-Day
Prince William is seen smiling as he greets former PM David Cameron – who was among the dignitaries in Portsmouth this afternoon
The Prince of Wales pictured shaking hands with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps at the D-Day anniversary event in Portsmouth
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.
However, the proceedings have already begun for dozens of other Second World War veterans.
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.
The morning will culminate in a flypast by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows.
The Prime Minister will then deliver a reading to the crowds and meet with veterans to hear their D-Day stories to mark the occasion.
In the afternoon, tributes will move to the beaches of Normandy, where hundreds of allied defence personnel will parachute into a historic D-Day drop zone to commemorate the airborne invasion of 80 years ago.
The Royal British Legion will host a commemoration service at Bayeux War Cemetery before the Ministry of Defence and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission host a joint UK-France thanksgiving service at Bayeux Cathedral.
Tonight, as the sun sets, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Bayeux War Cemetery will light up in honour of those who fought on the beaches. The light show will be streamed live on the BBC so all can witness the occasion.
Akshata Murty, wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, next to Sir Keir Starmer and Johnny Mercer at today’s D-Day commemorations
Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer is seen posing for a photo at the D-Day commemoration in Portsmouth this afternoon
David Cameron sips from a can behind Sir Keir Starmer as the nation prepared to commemorate the D-Day landings in Portsmouth
Johnny Mercer – the minister for Veterans’ Affairs and a local MP – pictured speaking with Former PM David Cameron in Portsmouth
A veteran looks on as people gather to attend today’s national commemorative event. Over 500 veterans gathered for the event
A Normandy veteran watches on as he prepares for the commemoration to begin on Southsea Common in Portsmouth this morning
Members of the military on stage during the UK’s national commemorative event as an emotional video was projected onto the big screen
On Thursday – the 80th anniversary of D-Day – commemorations will begin in Normandy at 7.25am, the same time the beach invasion began in 1944.
A military piper will land on the beaches of Arromanches-les-Bains in a Royal Marines landing craft and begin playing a lament in tribute to those who led the beach landings.
The official British commemoration for the 80th anniversary of D-Day will take place at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, where the King will join French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak.
Charles and Camilla hosted four D-Day veterans at Buckingham Palace yesterday, hearing moving personal stories and seeing their poignant keepsakes.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey chats to a fellow attendee at today’s event in Portsmouth commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps speaks with service personnel at the event this morning before the D-Day event got underway
Lone bagpiper Richard Cowie, from the Cumbria Freemasons, warms up his pipes ahead of playing at a D-Day commemoration event on Windermere, Lake District
Mr Richard Cowie will be playing on board one of Windermere Lake Cruises traditional steamers at Bowness-on-Windermere today
Planes fly overhead the Standing with Giants installation at the Normandy British Memorial, in Ver-Ser-Mer, France, this morning
The memorial – pictured this morning – features 1,475 silhouettes across the wild meadow fields of the British Normandy Memorial
Football boots carried on the straps of a military backpack, dog tags still bearing blood, and photos of a much cherished wife were among the mementoes shared with Charles and Camilla.
Charles, in turn, read aloud from his grandfather’s handwritten diary, recounting George VI‘s D-Day entry about the breaking news of the ‘successful landings’ in June 1944.
The special meeting was filmed and will be broadcast as part of BBC One’s D-Day 80: Tribute to The Fallen on June 5.