meeting veterans at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer France — The King meets veterans at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer France (Picture: MOD)

D-Day

In pictures: A round-up of images from the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations

Eighty years ago, the beaches of Normandy witnessed the largest seaborne invasion in history that marked a decisive turn towards the liberation of Western Europe.

Commemorative events have taken place across the UK and France to honour the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The solemn commemorations served as an everlasting reminder of the price of freedom and the courage and sacrifices of those who fought for it.

In pictures: Dazzling drone display tells the story of D-Day in the sky over Portsmouth
King Charles: Our obligation to remember D-Day veterans can never diminish
Soldiers march over Pegasus Bridge to mark 80 years since Allies seized key crossing

In Normandy, the King addressed veterans and spoke of his "profound sense of gratitude" to those who fought in the D-Day invasion.

Overhead at the British Normandy Memorial, the Red Arrows pierced the sky leaving their red, white and blue trails.

King Charles lays a wreath D Day 80 British Normandy Memorial — King Charles lays a wreath for D-Day 80 at the British Normandy Memorial (Picture: PA)

French President Emmanuel Macron with Brigitte and King Charles and Queen Camilla D-Day 80 British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer (Picture: PA)

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team accompanied by Typhoon Display Team 'Moggy' aircraft fly over the British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer CREDIT MOD 060624 — The Red Arrows flying over the British Normandy Memorial (Picture: MOD)

Red Arrows and Typhoon display team fly over British Normandy Memorial in France (Picture: MOD)

Image of the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left), seen here holding the hands of a veteran at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer France 060624 CREDIT MOD.png — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak holding the hands of a veteran at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer (Picture: MOD)

Prince of Wales meets Canadian D-Day veteran 80th anniversary Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer Normandy — The Prince of Wales meets Canadian D-Day veteran for the 80th anniversary at Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy (Picture: PA)

Members of the RAF are seen here at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer France for DDay 80 — Members of the RAF at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer (Picture: RAF)

Colonel Commandant Parachute Regiment Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison laid a wreath Ranville War Cemetery 06 — Colonel Commandant Parachute Regiment Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison laid a wreath at Ranville War Cemetery (Picture: MOD)

A beach landing by the Royal Marines of 47 Commando and civilians at Asnelles before their annual 'yomp' to Port-en-Bessin (Picture: MOD)

Royal Marine's on Dday 060624 CREDIT MOD — 47 Commando Royal Marines arrive on a landing craft before they begin a ‘yomp’ across the fields to their commemorative event in Port-en-Bassin (Picture: MOD)

Tri-Service personnel and the Parachute Regiment pony mascot at the 6th Airborne Division Service of Remembrance at the Musee Memorial Pegasus CREDIT MOD 060624 — Tri-service personnel and the Parachute Regiment pony mascot at the 6th Airborne Division Service of Remembrance at the Pegasus Memorial Museum (Picture: MOD)

Thousands gather at Pegasus Bridge ahead of the midnight vigil to mark the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings CREDIT MOD 060624_0.png — Thousands gather at Pegasus Bridge ahead of the midnight vigil to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings (Picture: MOD)

Secretary of State for Defence, The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP speaks to a veteran at the British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer, UK’s major commemorative event in Normandy to mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. — Defence Secretary Grant Shapps speaks to a veteran at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer (Picture: MOD)

D-Day veteran Ken Hay speaks during D Day 80 British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer — D-Day veteran Ken Hay speaks during D-Day 80 at the British Normandy Memorial (Picture: MOD)

Pipe Major Trevor Macey-Lillie salutes after his landing at Gold Beach (Picture: MOD)

Serving Royal Marine personnel and veterans at the British Normandy Memorial CREDIT MOD 060624 — Serving Royal Marines personnel and veterans at the British Normandy Memorial (Picture: MOD)

Veteran standard bearers march to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day followed by a memorial service at the D-Day Memorial in Southsea CREDIT MOD 060624 — Veteran standard bearers march to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day followed by a memorial service at the D-Day Memorial in Southsea (Picture: MOD)

Meanwhile, Prince William delivered a speech at the ceremony on Juno Beach praising the "bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian troops, who gave so much 80 years ago".

He was joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, Canadian D-Day veterans and Armed Forces personnel in Courseulles-sur-Mer in France.

The day also saw soldiers from the Army Air Corps and The Rifles march across Pegasus Bridge as they marked 80 years since British troops first landed in occupied France.