In pictures: 80th anniversary of D-Day

Events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day are taking place in France and the UK on Thursday.

Jun 7, 2024 - 18:07 Updated: Jun 7, 2024 - 18:10

Commemorations began on Wednesday, which saw the King make his biggest speech since his cancer diagnosis - addressing a crowd in Portsmouth on the eve of the anniversary.

He paid tribute to the troops from the UK, the US, Canada, France and other places.

Britain's wartime prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill, called it "the most complicated and difficult" operation of World War Two, leading to the eventual liberation of France from Nazi occupation.

PA Serving paratroopers from the Parachute Regiment, the Rifles, the Army Air Corps and the Salamanca Band and Bugles of the Rifles, march at the double across Pegasus Bridge, replicating their journey 80 years ago, in Benouville, Normandy, France, during events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. — Serving paratoopers copied a route they would have made 80 years ago

Reuters Britain's Anne, The Princess Royal, President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission accepts a posy to lay on the Grave of an Unknown Soldier, during the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Great Vigil — Princess Anne made a visit to the grave of the unknown soldier

Dylan Martinez/PA Media Dame Helen Mirren on stage

The UK's national commemorative event in Portsmouth was led by Dame Helen Mirren.

She said: "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."

Andrew Matthews/PA Media Dame Helen Mirren introduces D-Day veteran Roy Hayward

Jordan Pettitt/PA Media Veteran Jack Mortimer returns to Sword Beach in Normandy, France, where he landed on D-Day — Veteran Jack Mortimer returns to Sword Beach in Normandy, France, where he landed on D-Day

D-Day veteran Roy Hayward was met with a standing ovation when he walked on stage on Southsea Common.

He was severely injured in Normandy, both his legs had to be amputated below the knees. He said he represented all the “men and women who put their lives on hold to go and fight for democracy and this country”.

Andrew Matthews/PA Media

Leon Neal/Getty Images A veteran at the commemorative event

Leon Neal/Getty Images The Red Arrows perform a fly-past

The Red Arrows and a pair of Dakota military transport aircraft seen with their invasion stripes took part in a fly-past.

Andrew Matthews/PA Media King Charles and Queen Camilla on stage

King Charles who attended with his wife Queen Camilla, paid tribute to the veterans who embarked in Portsmouth 80 years ago.

“It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom.”

Kin Cheung/AFP Prince William shakes hands with Akshata Murty while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks on

Prince William sat alongside Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty.

During his address, the Prince of Wales 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."