Prince of Wales current events 10: October 2008 to October 2009

[Nico]

I also fail to understand why the British flag was absent from graves at the Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery

As Already said, Colleville sur mer is an American cemetery (an american territory) only honoring the american soldiers killed on the french soil. Put the Union-jack on the grave of an american soldier didn't make sense...

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But the bristish flag was in evidence :

Getty Images - French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Fir

one might have got the impression that only Americans and French took part in the D-Day, while British and Canadian soldiers were relaxing somewhere on the beach. Indeed, it seems to be the message the French president tried to deliver. As part-Canadian, I find such attitude very offensive.

I don't agree, Bristish and Cadadian soldiers were remembered this morning in Bayeux with a special service and a ceremony in the Commonwealth war graves cemetery.
In their speeches the dignitaries didn't forget to mention the sacrifice of the soldiers from United Kingdom and Canada.


I'am the first to blame the bad behavior from my government in the diplomatic mess! But frankly this ceremony was dignified and moving and it's cleary unfair, untrue, and a little tasteless, to find details, as the Daily Mail did, to be one more time polemical.

[Marsel]

I admit to being slightly biased; the whole diplomatic mess was so annoying and cast Sarkozy/Brown is such bad light, that I may prefer to see, only the negative aspects of the ceremony. I apologize if my words offended anyone in any way.

Nevertheless, I stand by my words that if not the ceremony itself, than the conduct of the Sarkozy, Obama and Brown (especially Brown) was undignified. Prince Charles was the only one, with the possible exception of the Canadian Prime Minister, whose conduct was appropriate and fitting the event. He alone seemed to sincerely care and remember, whereas the others seemed to know the dates, numbers and figures but simply not feel the soul, the essence of the historical event. Brown's behaviour was nothing short of offensive; his general conduct and that so-called speech of his wouldn't do even at the opening of a factory, leave alone such important occasion.
At least, that was my private impression of the event.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Marsel77

After watching the D-Day commemorative service, I was very glad Prince Charles decided to attend it in the end. He seemed to be the only leader, apart from maybe the Canadian PM, who understood why he was there - it was a solemn and important occasion, not an opportunity to show off. I didn't like Sarkozy's or Obama's constant grins and waves, Brown's speech was simply a disgrace.

I was doing my usual night owl thing and had the TV on Fox while I surfed the forums and I was suddenly startled by a comment from one of the commentators (Perhap O'Reilly) who while filling in time whilst the VIP's were looking at a relief map with a Veteran. He commented on the "political status" of the VIP's who were all good or great to have gotten where they were but then he asked "Where is the Queen? What is that all about, she was actually part of the War and these guys weren't even born?" He further commented that the lack of invitation wouldn't have gone down well with a lot of veterans."

Obviously that is not verbatim but I thought he had got to the heart of the matter pretty smartly. The whole deal was more about political spin (or grin) than remembrance!

[jcbcode99]

Quite true; HM was actually alive during WWII, and was a mechanic for crying out loud. It is inexcusable that she was not present at the D-Day ceremonies. Sarkozy wanted all the attention on himself (there's a shocker) and his new buddy, President Obama. What should have been a day of reflection on humility and service and of honor to those who served became another photo-opportunity with all that waving and grinning. Really, it was too much to watch.

[ghost_night554]

Sorry to ask and sorta deflect from the purpose of this thread but where was Camilla I was sad she was not there especially since all the first ladies were there. Anyways Charles did great I am very glad he went although I still think it was wrong of them not to invite the Queen in the first place.

[Skydragon]

Sixty-five years after Hitler failed to make Britain’s D-Day effort a footnote in world history, France and America finally realised his dream yesterday.


So why isn¿t your mother here, Sir? Veteran quizzes Charles over Queen's absence at Franco American D-Day commemoration | Mail Online

Charles should have answered, because the French president wants to brush the commonwealth countries major contribution in freeing his country, well and truly under the rug! Sarkozy will not be concerned that he has damaged the standing of his country and countrymen to a great many Brits.

What a great pity that Obama and Sarkozy saw this event as a great photo op, grins and waves seemed to abound, Harper and Charles appeared to grasp the solemnity required of the occasion. I wonder if the dead are turning in their graves at the speed some of the French seem to have forgotten the honour due to these men and their surviving comrades?

[MARG]

Well said Skydragon. You have it in a nutshell, or is that just a small bitter pill?

France blew it. The US muddled through it and left Harper and Charles to show that all least they knew why they were there.

It was the 65th anniversary of D-Day, and but for the fact that there were crosses and stars of david which tended to remind the more astute visitors that thery were in a cemetary, you would have thought it was just another political schmooze!

[lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

What a great pity that Obama and Sarkozy saw this event as a great photo op, grins and waves seemed to abound, Harper and Charles appeared to grasp the solemnity required of the occasion. I wonder if the dead are turning in their graves at the speed some of the French seem to have forgotten the honour due to these men and their surviving comrades?

You are totally correct. I bet the dead are turning in there grave, because yesterday Sarkozy turned the memorial service to celebrate one of the most saddest and bravest days in history into a photo oppurtunity to increase his chance of a better relationship with America.

Why on earth did Charles not stick up for his country, why didn't he say what he knew.

‘He just smiled at me and gave me a shrug which I took to mean, “You know why, and I know why, but I can’t say.”

Prince Charles didn't even make a speech yesterday, he left it to Gordon Brown. It's dispicable how things have changed.

[Nico]

As you may know i deeply respect all the opinion expressed here. Of course it was a PR op, of course it was a photo op wanted by sarkozy and sadly one may think that the true spirit of this ceremony was , well, something occulted by all the real politic mess. I agreee with that, and the "snub" toward the Queen was just intolerable.

But we must be very careful by using the quotes from the Mail, well known for French bashing and xenophobic manners. Showing a grave of an american soldier and saying "look people there 's not even the British flag on it" is not particulary classy.

And for the quotes from the Veterans : "i took to mean..."," i heard...", we have already seen, in the Camilla case for exemple, that these kind of sentences must be taken very carrefully...

I think we are all too clever to not fell into the nationalist trap created by this newspaper.

[giov]

Gallery PPE
PPE Agency

[Turkish Delight]

Photo Gallery
http://www.royalportraits.nl/categor...a36edee2d74974

[muriel]

Deplorable, duplicitous and opportunist as the actions of the Sarkozy government may have been in the issue relating to the "treatment" of the Queen wrt the D-Day commemorations in Normandy over the weekend, I do think it was for the British government to argue the point and ensure that the British head of state is accorded the status and epect due to her!

[BellaFay]

Charles was probably too embarrassed to point out that the Queen was at another 'D-day' celebration - Derby Day! Just a week before, her staff at Buckingham Palace were stating that no member of the Royal Family could attend because any invitation would come too late. I suspect the only reason Prince Charles managed to get an invitaion from Sarkozy is because the present British Ambassador to France, Sir Peter Westmacott, is a former Assistant Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales.

[lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by BellaFay

Charles was probably too embarrassed to point out that the Queen was at another 'D-day' celebration - Derby Day! Just a week before, her staff at Buckingham Palace were stating that no member of the Royal Family could attend because any invitation would come too late. I suspect the only reason Prince Charles managed to get an invitaion from Sarkozy is because the present British Ambassador to France, Sir Peter Westmacott, is a former Assistant Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales.

I believe that Charles got an invite because President Obama stepped. And I am pretty sure that if the Queen had been given an invitation she would have happily for gone the tradition of attending the Epsom Derby.

[Skydragon]

Violent police riots involving petrol bombs and wooden bricks, and then a dramatic armed car chase were witnessed by the Prince of Wales today.
The Metropolitan Police force staged a series of life-like battles between officers and 'rioters' for Charles, who was visiting their £50million specialist training centre in Kent.


Petrol bombs, bricks, armed car chases and shields... Prince Charles sees how the Met rehearse for their war on crime | Mail Online

The Prince of Wales met with ex-servicemen today during his first trip to Medway in more than two years.

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/...spx?news=local

[iceflower]

Here are some more pics from today:

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales watches an abseiling demonstration
at the Metropolitan Police Specialist Training Centre during a visit by
on June 9, 2009 in Gravesend, England.


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** getty gallery **

[Turkish Delight]

Prince Of Wales Pays A Visit To Pembroke House - Pictures - Zimbio

[Turkish Delight]

Police drama for Charles as he watches training sessions - hellomagazine.com

[Mermaid1962]

That would be one of his more exciting engagments!

Originally Posted by Turkish Delight

Police drama for Charles as he watches training sessions - hellomagazine.com

[cdngirl]

Hi folks, I'm new here, and just wanted to drop some lines about D Day.

I think it's a little harsh to say simply because someone who is similing and relating to the crowd who are calling your name that this person doesn't care and is only there for publicity.

There are some wonderful pics online of veterans similing and chatting with the President, taking his pictures, joking. There is one pic of a veteran who being caught in the crush of the crowd was taken to meet President Obama, the sheer joy on that man's face was amazing

P060609PS-0979 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

here is a picture of Prince Charles and the President, I think they have a lot in common

P060609PS-0566 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

President Obama and his great Uncle, who I believe was part of the War, so he must know a thing or two

P060609PS-1003 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

and if you scroll way down on this link you'll see more pics of the day and Prince Charles and the President, and yes Prince Charles is smiling and laughing.

Photos. Zillions Of Them.