France is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, a pivotal moment in World War II. On June 6, 1944, Allied troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, assisted by Australian and Free French forces, landed on five sections of the German-occupied French coastline in Normandy. This invasion, the largest amphibious military assault in history, set the stage for the defeat of National Socialism in Western Europe.
In honor of this historic event, numerous commemorations are being held throughout Normandy. Among the significant ceremonies is the one at Omaha Beach, where American forces took heavy casualties. At the Canadian commemorative event at Juno Beach, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid a wreath in tribute to the fallen soldiers alongside Britain’s Prince William, the eldest son and heir of King Charles III.
An honour to host the official national commemoration this morning and to welcome Their Majesties The King and The Queen to the Memorial for the first time, alongside 40 Normandy Veterans. @RoyalFamily #DDay80
— British Normandy Memorial (@britishmemorial) June 6, 2024
King Charles himself attended an event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, making the trip to France despite his ongoing battle with cancer. Prince William will represent the United Kingdom at Omaha Beach, a decision attributed to continuing caution advised by the King’s medical team.
Notably absent from the commemorations is President Vladimir Putin of Russia. France’s decision not to invite Russian representatives due to the ongoing war in Ukraine marks a significant break with tradition. Russia, then part of the Soviet Union, suffered the heaviest casualties of any Allied state in the struggle to overcome the Axis powers.
#Dday80 🎂 Le 80ème anniversaire du #Débarquement c’est aujourd’hui 🤩 !#NotreEngagementVotreSécurité pic.twitter.com/oEcRzFFpoQ
— Gendarmerie nationale (@Gendarmerie) June 6, 2024