The UK will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy with multiple events attended by the royal family, veterans, and political figures. The King, Queen, and Prince of Wales will visit Normandy on Thursday, accompanied by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to attend ceremonies at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.
Armed Forces personnel will recreate the historic D-Day parachute drop in France on the eve of the anniversary. However, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft are not expected to participate due to an ongoing investigation into a recent Spitfire crash.
D-Day veterans, some of whom are turning 100 this year, will participate in events across the UK and France. They will meet with schoolchildren in Portsmouth and sail from Portsmouth to France, reflecting their original wartime journey. The Princess Royal will unveil a statue in Normandy and attend a ceremony at the Bayeux War Cemetery.
In the UK, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will be present at a remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum, while commemorative activities will also occur in West Dulwich and Falmouth. Climbing teams will scale notable UK peaks to light beacons in remembrance.