D-Day 80

Eighty years after the order was given for the Normandy landings, TM the King and Queen and HRH the Prince of Wales will welcome our D-Day veterans and pay tribute to all those involved in this enormous endeavour. From an iconic setting overlooking the coastline of Portsmouth, we will tell the story of the build-up and preparations for D-Day. Hosted by Dame Helen Mirren, this specially curated programme capturing the spirit of a pivotal moment in history will feature powerful spoken word testimony, live music and performance.

On the evening of 5 June 1944, thousands of allied servicemen were waiting courageously for the signal to launch. In the 24 hours that followed, the troops of D-Day achieved the unthinkable, pushing the boundaries of ingenuity, bravery and sacrifice.

Set overlooking Gold Beach at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, the event, organised by the Royal British Legion and the Ministry of Defence, will be the first ever national commemoration at this location. The ceremony will hold special significance for the D-Day veterans who have returned to France. They will be joined by His Majesty the King and Queen Camilla.