Duchess Sophie giggles with army veterans ahead of poignant Remembrance Service
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh meets D-Day and Normandy veterans ahead of the Royal British Legion's service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Duchess Sophie was full of laughter and smiles as she spoke with D-Day and Normandy veterans in Staffordshire yesterday.
Moving from table to table, Sophie spoke with several war heroes inside a tea tent, listening intently to their stories.
Meeting veteran John Davies, who had attended the service with his granddaughter and great grandson, Sophie remarked: "You're not!" when he told her he was 101.
As she chatted to Mr Davies, who had travelled from Liverpool for the occasion, she told him it was "lovely to have you here today".
The duchess also tenderly covered another chilly veteran with a blanket as they sat next to each other at a table.
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The Duke of Edinburgh, who wore over half a dozen medals adorned on his suit jacket, also spent time chatting with some of the 26 D-Day and Normandy veterans.
Asking one Derbyshire veteran where he had travelled from, he joked that Staffordshire was "much easier to get to than France".
Edward and Sophie then headed outside to join veterans and their families at the Royal British Legion’s Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas.
The event honoured veterans for their service during the D-Day landings 80 years ago.
The Duke and Duchess took their seats in the front row, and Sophie’s high spirits continued as she chatted with her husband and excitedly pointed at something ahead.
But when the service started at 2pm they struck a more sombre tone, with Edward appearing to wipe away a tear at one point during the hour-long service led by actress Lesley Sharp.
Ms Sharp paid tribute to her own father, who served in World War Two, and other veterans.
She said: "Today is a time for reflection and gratitude and it is a moment to honour the courage and resilience of those who served on that day and to pay tribute to their spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges.
"The legacy of D-Day transcends borders, ideologies and beliefs. Your presence here today is a testament to the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice."
Edward and Sophie then participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the SONT Normandy Campaign Memorial, laying a note saying "In Memoriam" on it with the flowers.
Sophie, dressed in a green floral dress with a cream Prada jacket over the top, appeared taken by 100-year-old D-Day veteran James Miller, who watched them lay the wreath.
Mr Davies, who was 17 when he first went to sea, said he was "absolutely honoured" to be at the 80th memorial service and became tearful as he remembered the horrors he witnessed during his service.
He said: "Nothing like this should ever happen and that's why people should remember and why they should be taught about what happened.
"Especially younger people now, unless they realise exactly what was given for them, it will keep happening."
