EMOTIONAL King Charles told D-Day heroes and their families that the nation was "eternally in their debt" as he joined a tearful Queen Camilla at today's moving event.
The King and Queen took to the stage in Portsmouth for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
King Charles gave his first speech since his cancer diagnosis, telling thousands of spectators: "It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice."
Both Charles and Camilla appeared emotional as the last surviving veterans shared their moving stories.
Queen Camilla's eyes welled up as Navy veteran Eric Bateman recalled fearlessly landing on the beaches of northern France - as Charles appeared emotional.
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The King spoke after Prince William, who looked solemn as he told the last surviving veterans how honoured he was to stand beside them.
Charles, William and Queen Camilla joined crowds to mark the 80th anniversary since the D-Day landings.
Afterward, they spoke to heroes and their families - where Wills started chatting about Princess Kate and her grandmother, and paying tribute to the veterans.
In a sweet clip that showed Prince William bending down to chat with a 95-year-old veteran he was asked: "I was going to ask you is your wife getting any better?"
William revealed she was well, before adding: "I was reminding everyone her grandmother used to work at Bletchley Park.
"She had a lot in common with some of the ladies here who never spoke about anything until the very end."
This morning the Royals were joined by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who also took to the stage to pay tribute.
Charles gave a moving speech with Camilla at his side, telling veterans and their families: "We are all eternally in their debt."
The King, who proudly wore medals on his chest, 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."
Charles said it was our privilege to hear the stories, continuing: "It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and their sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom."
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Wills stood not far from some of the country's last surviving veterans as they looked back on the campaign that opened the path to peace and freedom in Europe.
He also took to the stage, saying how "deeply honoured" he was to be joining them today.
The prince told the crowds: "Our guests of honour today are those veterans from the Normandy landing, that 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."
The prince then read out moving letters from diaries of war heroes, before adding: "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."
The heir shook the PM's hand as he arrived at the event, before Dame Helen Mirren took to the stage.
Wills wore medals on his chest with pride as he listened to veterans sharing their moving stories.
He wore the Golden Jubilee medal, Diamond Jubilee medal, Platinum Jubilee medal and the Coronation medal.
The prince also proudly donned The Most Honourable Order of the Bath neck order for the first time.
Dame Helen led the moving event, praising the bravery of the veterans sat nearby.
She told the masses: "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."
PM Rishi Sunak also took to the stage and read veterans' letters.
Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron were also at the event, hosted by the Ministry of Defence at Southsea Common.
It is one of two of the Royal British Legion's events taking place today - and another is in France.
In Normandy, veterans were snapped throwing roses into the sea as US President Joe Biden touched down.
Rows of veterans could be seen in wheelchairs during a wreath-laying ceremony and more commemorations are expected to take place today.
It comes after a D-Day hero yesterday showed the King the dog tags he wore round his neck — still showing traces of blood from where he was shot.
Arthur Oborne, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, was among veterans meeting Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace.
He told them: “The dog tags were recovered after I got a bullet through the lung and there is some blood still on them.”
Arthur, 100, revealed he was rescued by a friend and added: “As a family we will never forget it.
“We found he was killed the day after.”
Fellow centenarian Bernard Morgan, of the Royal Air Force, showed off a pair of football boots he carried throughout the war.
He said: “I played 12 games including one on the landing craft going to Normandy.
“There was Army personnel on there.
“So we decided to have a football match, the Army versus RAF.
“I think it was a draw.
The King laughed: “Oh really, how fantastic.”
John Dennett, 99, of the Royal Navy, recalled how he missed a bus back to the ship the night before because he was out dancing.
But he added of the fighting: “The lads we lost — it was colossal, it’s frightening.
“That’s when you feel grateful.
“That’s when you feel grateful.
“I class myself as being very lucky.”
Jim Miller, 100, of the 11th Hussars, told the King and Queen: “Remembrance is so important.
“The younger generation must learn about it and take it to heart.”
It was revealed last month that the King is the patron of the Royal British Legion - after taking over from the late Queen.
Mark Atkinson, Director General, said at the time: "The Royal British Legion is extremely proud that His Majesty The King is our new Patron.
"As the nation’s largest military charity, this patronage honours the special relationship that exists between the Monarch and the Armed Forces.
"His Majesty’s commitment to Remembrance and lifelong support to the RBL’s welfare work is greatly appreciated by our entire community."
