In pictures: Events commemorate 80th anniversary of D-Day

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Aaron Chown/PA A beach landing by the Royal Marines of 47 Commando at Asnelles before their annual 'yomp' to Port-en-Bessin, in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Picture date: Thursday June 6, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story MEMORIAL DDay. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA WireAaron Chown/PA

The Royal Marines of 47 Commando beach landing at Asnelles before heading to Port-en-Bessin in Normandy

Events are taking place in France and the UK to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of France.

On 6 June 1944, tens of thousands of soldiers landed on five beaches in Normandy, northern France.

The largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare played a crucial role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of Europe.

Win McNamee/Getty Images Visitors pay their respects at the Normandy American Cemetery above Omaha Beach on the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 06, 2024 in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Win McNamee/Getty Images

The sixth of June is a date etched in the memories of generations as D-Day, when mainly US, British and Canadian forces combined to break Germany's hold.

Aaron Chown/PA A military piper comes into shore on a DUKW amphibious vehicle ahead of playing a dawn lament on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, June 6, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA

Aaron Chown/PA A military piper comes into shore on a DUKW amphibious vehicle ahead of playing a dawn lament on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, June 6, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA

At Gold Beach in Arromanches, Normandy, Major Trevor Macey-Lillie, piper with the Scottish gunners, enacted a time-honoured tradition of playing a Scottish lament on the bagpipes.

The tradition recreates the exact moment thousands of British troops disembarked onto French beaches.

Aaron Chown/PA People attend the ceremony on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. June 6, 2024. Aaron Chown/PA

Aaron Chown/PA People attend the ceremony on Gold Beach in Arromanches in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. June 6, 2024. Aaron Chown/PA

People gathered early to attend the event at Gold Beach.

Later, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke at the UK commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.

Gareth Fuller/PA Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a D-Day commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France.ve event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France.Gareth Fuller/PA

Jane Barlow/PA Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a D-Day commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France.Jane Barlow/PA

"80 years ago, the weather broke," he said, beginning his address, "and the greatest invasion force in history left the shores of Britain to liberate Europe."

Mr Sunak went on to say we "pledge never to forget" what people sacrificed in the D-Day landings, adding that veterans have dedicated their lives to describing what happened.

GARETH FULLER/AFP King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by British cadets and French primary schoolchildren as they arrived for the Royal British Legion's commemorative event.GARETH FULLER/AFP

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were welcomed by British cadets and French primary schoolchildren as they arrived for the Royal British Legion's commemorative event.

They joined a number of Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Jane Barlow/PA King Charles III speaking during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.  June 6, 2024. Jane Barlow/PA

Jane Barlow/PA Veterans looks on during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. Picture date: Thursday June 6, 2024Jane Barlow/PA

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP King Charles III speaking during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.  June 6, 2024.LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP

The King addressed veterans at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, saying allies had faced the "supreme test" 80 years ago and we are fortunate the D-Day generation did not flinch when "the moment came to face that test".

Gareth Fuller/PA King Charles III lays a wreath during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France.Gareth Fuller/PA

It is the first time the memorial, which contains the names of the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944, has been used for major anniversary commemorations, having been opened in 2021.

Jordan Pettitt/PA The Prince of Wales, Prime Minister of France Gabriel Attal and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Government of Canada ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, at Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. Picture date: Thursday June 6, 2024. Jordan Pettitt/PA

The Prince of Wales attended the Canadian commemorative ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, at the Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer.

Prince William was greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA Canadian veteran, Jim Spenst, attends a commemorative ceremony for the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in Normandy at the Canadian cemetery in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, 06 June 2024CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA

Canadian veteran Jim Spenst spoke with other veterans before the commemorative ceremony at the Canadian cemetery, which included a descent by Canadian paratroopers near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer.

 LOU BENOIST/REUTERS A large Canadian national flag hangs from a parachutist as he lands ahead of the Canadian commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy, at the Juno Beach Centre near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer, in northwestern France, on June 6, 2024. LOU BENOIST/REUTERS

CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA Canadian paratroopers perform during a commemorative ceremony for the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings in Normandy at the Canadian cemetery in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, 06 June 2024. CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA

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