70 years ago the crucial decision was made to invade France on June 6 1944, a campaign which was to mark the beginning of the end of the Second World War. Live from the small town of Arromanches overlooking the beaches of Normandy, Huw Edwards presents a day of programmes to commemorate this historic day. Senior members of the royal family, together with other foreign dignitaries, join thousands of veterans at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Bayeux for a poignant service, held amongst the 4,000 gravestones of the brave British servicemen who lost their lives in that campaign. Sian Williams and Dan Snow report live from Bayeux where the Prince of Wales is among those paying tribute to the many British soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives in the battle for Normandy.
Huw Edwards, with guests James Holland and Dan Snow, continues the BBC's live coverage from the historic town of Arromanches in Normandy to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day. International heads of state with veterans from all nations involved in D-Day gather in Ouistreham on Sword Beach to mark perhaps the most ambitious operation in military history and remember those who lost their lives on that fateful day and in the days and weeks that followed. Then the focus moves to the beautiful town square of Arromanches for the British event. Here, ex-servicemen of the Normandy Veterans Association march through this tiny seaside town to honour the men they fought alongside in sight of the very beaches they landed on 70 years ago.
Highlights of the day's events in Normandy commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Huw Edwards presents from the tiny town of Arromanches, overlooking the beaches of Normandy, where senior members of the British royal family joined other heads of state and veterans from all nations to pay tribute to the thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives on 6 June 1944 and in the days and weeks that followed in the Battle for Normandy. The morning saw an emotional and poignant service held at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Bayeux, and the afternoon held perhaps the most moving tribute of the day when thousands of British veterans came together to hold a special service of remembrance to pay their respects to the men they fought alongside 70 years ago.
