D-Day 70th Anniversary: June 6, 2014

[Marengo]

On June 6th 2014 it will be 70 years ago that operation overlord started. This will be commemorated in Normandy, France.

Confirmed guests thus far:

- Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip;
- King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima;
- King Philippe and Queen Mathilde

It is likely that the reiging couples of Belgium, Norway and Luxembourg will also attend the event, as well as heads of state and representatives of the other Allied powers.

--
Entry of the veterans in 2004:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2oN8ArL2RY

--

[Marengo]

The attendance of the king and queen of the Belgians is now confirmed by the court.

De Belgische Monarchie: Home - Actueel - Agenda - Landing in Normandië - 70ste verjaardag

[cepe]

The BRF have issued a detailed press release outlining all the events they are attending commemorating the D-Day Landings, June 6th 2014


http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsan...nNormandy.aspx

[ricarda]

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will be there too.
She will attend a memorial in Ouistreham on 5th June (according to DRF's calendar).

[Marengo]

I can't recall Q. Margrethe at the memorial before, as Denmark was not part of the allies.Nice that she will be paying her respects.

--
Princess Claire will represent her brother-in-law, King Philippe, at the French-Belgian memorial at the 'pont des Belges' in Deauville-Trouville. The King will limit his public appearances due to his role in the post-election process, which is expected to take months.

Prinses Claire vertegenwoordigt koning in Deauville - Binnenland - De Morgen

---
According to the RVD, Prince Jaime of Parma will attend the French-Dutch commemoration in the morning of June 6th at Arromanches. Fitting, as the Dutch fighters were part of the Princess Irene brigade.

[fairy tale]

From the Norwegian Royals King Harald will attend:

05.06.2014 - 06.06.2014 D-Day 70th anniversary
His Majesty The King attends the D-Day 70 Commemorations in Normandy in France (5 – 6 June).

[principessa]

Will any spanish royals attend the commemorations?

[LadyFinn]

Originally Posted by ricarda

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will be there too.
She will attend a memorial in Ouistreham on 5th June (according to DRF's calendar).

Queen Margrethe will attend on June 6th according to the DRF calendar
H.M. Dronningen er til stede ved mindehøjtidelighed i anledning af 70-året for de allieredes invasion i Normandiet kl. 18.00 - Kongehuset

[Charlotte_Aster]

Originally Posted by principessa

Will any spanish royals attend the commemorations?

Since Spain under Franco was officially non-belligerent during World War II, I doubt anyone from Spain will attend.

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by Charlotte_Aster

Since Spain under Franco was officially non-belligerent during World War II, I doubt anyone from Spain will attend.

Queen Sofia is in NYC next week and Spain celebrates Armed Forces Day on June 8th so I don't think we'll see anyone from Spain.I will check the royal website when its updated tomorrow.

[COUNTESS]

Originally Posted by principessa

Will any spanish royals attend the commemorations?

I doubt it, as Spain, tried to look neutral, but under Franco, was Pro-Nazi.

[Moonmaiden23]

I get very emotional every time I read or see anything about D-Day. The incredible courage of those men landing on that beach to begin the liberation of Europe is simply something I can never fathom. Many of them were prepared to die, and die they did. They were slaughtered. But they knew that what they were doing was right and had to be done.

For me, there is nothing exaggerated about naming the WWII generation The Greatest Generation. That is what they were and are.

On CNN last night there was a story about a guy, now in his 90's, who was a teenager when he landed at Omaha Beach. He was from Mississippi. At the American military cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, he returned to find the grave of his commanding officer, a New Yorker who died that day. He just stood there and cried and cried.

Even today here in America there are so called neo Confederates and libertarians who argue that the US should have been permitted to split up in 1861 and that Abraham Lincoln was wrong to commit to war to keep the country united.

Thank God for Lincoln's foresight is all I can think after watching CNN last night.

[cepe]

I think that the forthcoming commemorations will bring forward many stories of human sacrifice and bravery but mainly strong, sustaining spirit that kept people going.

Although my father was not involved in the D day landings, he fought through all 6 years of the War. He was evacuated with the few remaining soldiers at Dunkirk; he fought in the North Africa Campaigns; he fought in northern Europe at the end of the war.

My mother, only 19 when the war broke out, was "called up" and worked in munition factories in Glasgow thru' the war. The bombing was horrendous - she lost family and friends. And all the time she waited for my father to come home.

We should honour those who fight to maintain their homes; protect their families and to maintain their countries liberties.

Next week will be very emotional.

[TLLK]

^^^I wholeheartedly agree moonmaiden. They were the greatest generation who IMHO saved our world.

[Moonmaiden23]

And they will soon be gone, as they are literally a dying breed. If you see a WWII era person, thank him/her and give them a hug if they will let you!

Lovely post cepe, I agree!

[Valerie Rose]

Lovely posts above, indeed, about the courage of that "Greatest Generation" of which my dear, late, parents were a part: I am so proud of them.

[Dman]

Jamie McFadden @JamieMcFadden_ · 14h
BBC1 will broadcast 'D-Day 70: The Heroes Return' in 2 parts next Friday. The shows will follow coverage of commemorations in Normandy.

[Blog Real]

On the website of the Swedish Royal House there is no indication on this event.

Liechtenstein and Mónaco will participate?

[COUNTESS]

Originally Posted by Blog Real

On the website of the Swedish Royal House there is no indication on this event.

Liechtenstein and Mónaco will participate?

Probably, because at that time, they were very pro Nazi, too.

[LadyFinn]

Originally Posted by Blog Real

On the website of the Swedish Royal House there is no indication on this event.

Liechtenstein and Mónaco will participate?

Sweden celebrates it's National Day on 6th June. The king and queen are in Ånge during the day and in the evening the whole royal family attends at the National Day celebration in Skansen. After that the king hosts a reception at the Royal Palace.
And Sweden didn't take part at the war.