John
06-06-2009, 10:33 AM
Gordon Brown and the Prince of Wales have arrived in France to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings with Second World War veterans.
The two men will take their place alongside the old soldiers and world leaders, including President Barack Obama, to remember those who fought and died during the Normandy landings.
On June 6, 1944 thousands of Allied troops landed or parachuted on to occupied France in an effort to free Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Exact figures for Allied fatalities on D-Day itself are not available but estimates put the toll at 4,400.
The heir to the throne's involvement in a series of solemn wreath laying and religious services in Normandy has been overshadowed by the debacle of the failure to invite the Royal Family.
Charles was only asked to attended by president Nicolas Sarkozy at the last minute following claims the Queen was being snubbed by France.
The new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth is joining the Prime Minster, who reshuffled his cabinet yesterday following a day of political turmoil in Westminster.
Mr Ainsworth takes the place of his predecessor John Hutton who has resigned from his post.
To mark the sacrifices made by those who fought and died on D-Day the Prince and the Prime Minister will attend a service of remembrance at Bayeux Cathedral, Bayeux for British veterans.
Later Charles will join old soldiers at another commemoration service organised by the Normandy Veterans' Association.
He will lay a wreath at the Bayeux Commonwealth War Graves Committee cemetery and meet veterans.
Other former soldiers will have a chance to chat to the Prince when he attends a hotel reception where British Legion staff and their supporters will also be present.
During the day Mr Brown and the Prince will join world leaders including Mr Obama for a major commemoration event at the Normandy America cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer.
Later the Prime Minister will attend a Normandy Veterans' Association service at Arromanches beach in Normandy.
The two men will take their place alongside the old soldiers and world leaders, including President Barack Obama, to remember those who fought and died during the Normandy landings.
On June 6, 1944 thousands of Allied troops landed or parachuted on to occupied France in an effort to free Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Exact figures for Allied fatalities on D-Day itself are not available but estimates put the toll at 4,400.
The heir to the throne's involvement in a series of solemn wreath laying and religious services in Normandy has been overshadowed by the debacle of the failure to invite the Royal Family.
Charles was only asked to attended by president Nicolas Sarkozy at the last minute following claims the Queen was being snubbed by France.
The new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth is joining the Prime Minster, who reshuffled his cabinet yesterday following a day of political turmoil in Westminster.
Mr Ainsworth takes the place of his predecessor John Hutton who has resigned from his post.
To mark the sacrifices made by those who fought and died on D-Day the Prince and the Prime Minister will attend a service of remembrance at Bayeux Cathedral, Bayeux for British veterans.
Later Charles will join old soldiers at another commemoration service organised by the Normandy Veterans' Association.
He will lay a wreath at the Bayeux Commonwealth War Graves Committee cemetery and meet veterans.
Other former soldiers will have a chance to chat to the Prince when he attends a hotel reception where British Legion staff and their supporters will also be present.
During the day Mr Brown and the Prince will join world leaders including Mr Obama for a major commemoration event at the Normandy America cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer.
Later the Prime Minister will attend a Normandy Veterans' Association service at Arromanches beach in Normandy.