Royals remember in Normandy

On the seventieth anniversary of the D Day landings in Normandy, many personal memories have been relived and shared.  And an international act of commemoration has taken place with many of Europe's royals taking part.  The Queen laid a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives on June 6th 1944 and the days and weeks following it as Operation Overlord took place in northern France.

The Queen lays a wreath at Bayeux Cemetry on the seventieth anniversary of D Day, June 6th 2014

The Queen was a young woman of eighteen when the D Day landings took place and saw, at first hand, the involvement of her father, George VI.  Today, she returned to lead the British Royal Family's tributes to those who died and those who lived to remember.  Elizabeth II ad the Duke of Edinburgh attended a remembrance service at the Commonwealth War Cemetery with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall before laying a wreath and then meeting veterans.

The Queen meets a D Day veteran in Bayeux on June 6th 2014

Prince Charles and the duchess had earlier attended a ceremony at Bayeux Cathedral at the start of the D-Day commemorations.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge arriving at Bayeux Cathedral on June 6th 2014

Later, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in Arromanches to watch a march past of veterans and to take part in a tea party with the soldiers who had returned to remember.

The Duchess who came to tea - Kate with veterans on June 6th 2014

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands had been in Arromanches first thing in the morning when they attended a joint French-Dutch commemoration ceremony and laid a wreath.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima in Arromanches on June 6th 2014

Queen Margrethe II attended a ceremony of remembrance which was held at the monument to Danish sailors in Normandy.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark at a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of D Day on June 6th 2014

King Harald of Norway attended a French-Norwegian ceremony early on the morning of June 6th 2014 at Herman-sur-Mer where he also met veterans.  

King Harald of Norway on June 6th 2014 in Normandy

The four monarchs were joined by King Philippe of the Belgians at the end of the morning commemorations as the five crowned heads joined other heads of state at a lunch given by President Francois Hollande at the Chateau de Benouville.  The queens and kings later took part in an historic photo to mark the occasion.

The British and Danish queens and the Norwegian, Dutch and Belgians kings in a photo of heads of state taken in Normandy on the seventieth anniversary of D Day

Later, all five monarchs were at Ouistreham, near to Sword Beach, for an international ceremony of remembrance.  

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians greet President Hollande of France

Each royal house paid tribute to soldiers from their countries who lost their lives on D Day and spent time with some of the veterans who had returned to mark this special anniversary. From the Queen, who experienced the day as an adult, to the two newest kings in Europe who were born long after D Day, the royal tributes were heartfelt and clear for all to see.

President Obama with the monarchs of the Netherlands and Belgium on the 70th anniversary of D Day, June 6th 2014