King Charles III has embarked on his first trip abroad since announcing his cancer diagnosis.
The king arrived in Normandy, France, on Thursday with his wife, Queen Camilla, to attend ceremonies at the Ministry of Defense and the British Legion commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in World War II.
The two were also joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron.
Prince Charles makes his first public speech since cancer diagnosis at D-Day event for veterans
Prince Charles and Queen Camilla visited Normandy, France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. (Getty Images)
During his visit, the king, who announced his cancer diagnosis in February, paid tribute to Allied soldiers who landed in France on June 6, 1944, to liberate the country from Nazi-occupied northwestern Europe.
In his speech at the event, Charles said: “How fortunate we and the whole free world are that a generation of men and women of Britain and other Allied nations did not shrink when faced with that test.” “On the beaches of Normandy, across the seas, and in the skies overhead, our troops performed their duties with humble determination and determination.”
King Charles shook hands with veterans during his visit. (Getty Images)
“Our gratitude is unwavering and our admiration eternal,” he added.
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After his speech, Charles laid a wreath at the memorial.
This is the King’s first overseas trip since receiving treatment for cancer. (Getty Images)
Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg also attended the 80th anniversary ceremony.
Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg also attended. (Getty Images)
Prince William also joined the Canadian Prime Minister. Justin Trudeau and French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal attended another ceremony honoring Canadian soldiers at the Juno Beach Center in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy.
The Prince of Wales thanked Canadian veterans for their “extraordinary acts of bravery and sacrifice.”
Prince William also marked the anniversary with a similar event nearby. (Jordan Pettitt – Pool/Getty Images)
“We continue to honor all Canadians who have donated so much and all Canadian families who have lost loved ones,” he said. “Thank you for our freedom, and thank you for your service.”
A day earlier, the King had arrived in Portsmouth, England, with Camilla and William to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
“The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity we have heard today throughout our lives move us, inspire us and remind us of the past,” Prince Charles said in a video released on the royal family’s official website. “What we owe to that great war generation is now tragically reduced to a very small number.”
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He also highlighted Portsmouth’s role in the mission, saying “Those gathered here in Portsmouth will never forget that sight. It was the largest military fleet the world has ever known. But everyone knew that victory and failure were possible .No one could know their fate.”
Last February, Buckingham Palace presented a gift to Prince Charles. I was diagnosed with some type of cancer. And I was receiving treatment. A “separate concern” was identified during the monarch’s “benign prostate enlargement” procedure at a London clinic.
Prince Charles was diagnosed with cancer shortly after receiving treatment for an enlarged prostate. (Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images)
“Follow-up diagnostic tests confirmed the form of cancer,” the palace said in a statement at the time.
Last March, he attended the Easter service, his first major event since being diagnosed with cancer, and in May he officially returned to his public duties.
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Elizabeth Stanton of the Associated Press and Fox News Digital contributed to this post.
