MARKING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY THE KING AND QUEEN ARE MOVED TO TEARS AS THE WORLD REMEMBERS THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM

Under blue skies in England and France, King Charles and Queen Camilla led commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

- EMILY NASH

In a series of deeply moving ceremonies, tributes were paid to the many lives lost and those forever changed by the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.

At the heart of it all were the last surviving veterans of the audacious and risk-laden campaign, which turned the tide of the Second World War in favour of the Allied forces. Commemorations began in Portsmouth, where tens of thousands of troops gathered eight decades ago on the eve of the biggest sea and airborne invasion in history.

A DAY OF EMOTIONS

More than 6,000 people watched a poignant concert - hosted by Dame Helen Mirren that brought survivors' memories to life, along with the final letters of some who perished, reflecting on their bravery and sacrifice.

The King and Queen were moved to tears at some points, and there were standing ovations as several of the 21 veterans in attendance appeared onstage to be hailed as heroes.

The Prince of Wales - attending without Princess Kate, who is continuing her recovery from cancer-read an excerpt from the journal of Captain Alastair Bannerman, written to his wife on the morning of the landings.

Prince William, 41, told the flag-waving crowd he was "deeply honoured" to be taking part, adding, "We will always remember those who served."