The Queen led the scores of royals and dignitaries who attended the D-Day 70th anniversary commemoration ceremony on Friday 6 June.Accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, Britain's monarch was the last guest to arrive at Sword Beach in Ouistreham for the historical service.
The Queen with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall
Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and Prince Albert of Monaco were also in attendance, as were Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.The royal gathering was completed by King Harald of Norway, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and Queen Margrethe of Denmark.D-Day landings: The Queen and President Obama pay tribute Representing their countries on a political level were world leaders including President Barack Obama, President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Prince Charles pictured with Barack Obama
Against the backdrop of the English Channel that played such a vital role in the D-Day landings, French President Hollande addressed the crowd, which included veterans from the momentous day itself who had made the trip to Normandy.Following the commemoration ceremony, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh headed to a state banquet given in her honour by President Hollande at The Elysée Palace.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima talking to Barack Obama
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall went on to a ceremony of remembrance at the Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, to commemorate Canada's role in the Normandy landings while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in France for their engagements. Prince William and Duchess Kate are set to attend a veterans' tea party in the town of Arromanches before the Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Normandy Landings at Gold Beach, Arromanches.