D-Day commerations (royal watchers, WWII buffs)

[mbcdefg]

Today is the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasions, and many royal figures are in Normandy for the ceremonies.

The UK is being represented by Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla. William and Kate (I'm unsure about Harry) are also scheduled to attend events.

The Queen is a World War II veteran herself, having served in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. I read that she's the last surviving WWII veteran in the entire British Royal Family (ETA: although I just read something now saying her husband, Prince Philip, is also a WWII veteran, so now I don't know. I actually Googled for confirmation and found nothing *shrug*). At any rate, the Queen and her husband have been given the honor of being the last dignitaries to arrive before the start of the remembrance ceremony at Sword Beach:

 

Camilla talking to veterans:

 

Also attending are King William-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands, and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark:




Group shot (I think that's Harald V of Norway next to President Obama, and I also see Henri of Luxembourg, Phillipe of Belgium, and Albert of Monaco, along with elected leaders like Angela Merkel of Germany):



President Obama and others reach out to help Queen Elizabeth II descend the stairs, while Putin stands around doing nothing, lol:



The Telegraph has a live feed of the events. I just clicked on it and President Obama is shaking veterans' hands: www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10877156/D-Day-remembered-watch-70th-anniversary-commemorations-live.html

This also popped up on my Twitter feed - color photos of France after D-Day: mentalfloss.com/article/57142/amazing-color-photos-france-after-d-day

Reuters photo: Ukraine's Poroshenko, Russia's Putin, Germany's Merkel speak (dun dun DUN):



The Swedish royal family is at home, celebrating their National Day. A photo of Princess Estelle in national costume was released, and little Princess Leonore has joined in the celebrations as well:

   

[nomad100]

Poroshenko looks like he wants to stab Putin. That look of disgust in his face. Priceless.

[jerseyjaybird]

LOVE Camilla's outfit here. Sometimes she really knows just exactly what will work for her.

[jerseyjaybird]

Also, did QEII and Max discuss their palette?

[Deleted]

Love!

H and I are both big WWII buffs. Our retirement goal is to live in Europe for the 100th anniversary of the end of the war (so from May/ June 2044 through May/ June 2045). We visited Normandy and Omaha Beach in 2011 and it's one of the most memorable places I have ever visited. The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is amazing. If you ever visit, I strongly recommend also visiting a German cemetery in the area. The contrast between the two is amazing. The Germans buried 3 million people in France between WWI and WWII.

History nerd!

[mbcdefg]

Jun 6, 2014 9:18:28 GMT -5 jerseyjaybird said:

LOVE Camilla's outfit here. Sometimes she really knows just exactly what will work for her.

She really looks awesome, a good majority of the time, and especially today. Whoever styles her does a fantastic job. But she's not young and thin and pretty like Kate (or even Sophie) so we never hear about it.

Margrethe is also very classy today. Her outfits can be rather nutty sometimes, but it seems like she knows when to be appropriate.

Maxima seems to be into the turban look lately. Yes, interesting that she and QEII went with florals.

[terpsfan]

Jun 6, 2014 9:22:21 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

Love!

H and I are both big WWII buffs. Our retirement goal is to live in Europe for the 100th anniversary of the end of the war (so from May/ June 2044 through May/ June 2045). We visited Normandy and Omaha Beach in 2011 and it's one of the most memorable places I have ever visited. The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is amazing. If you ever visit, I strongly recommend also visiting a German cemetery in the area. The contrast between the two is amazing. The Germans buried 3 million people in France between WWI and WWII.

History nerd!

I studied in Paris for Fall of 1998 and we took a weekend trip up to Normandy in late Oct.  It truly is breathtaking.  I dug out my photo album today to flip through my pictures (which are terrible,  pre-digital age lol) but still I can remember being on that beach on a crisp, raw, windy (but clear as day sunny) fall day.  It is an amazing place.

[mbcdefg]

Jun 6, 2014 9:22:21 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

Love!

H and I are both big WWII buffs. Our retirement goal is to live in Europe for the 100th anniversary of the end of the war (so from May/ June 2044 through May/ June 2045). We visited Normandy and Omaha Beach in 2011 and it's one of the most memorable places I have ever visited. The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is amazing. If you ever visit, I strongly recommend also visiting a German cemetery in the area. The contrast between the two is amazing. The Germans buried 3 million people in France between WWI and WWII.

History nerd!

I'd like to see this someday, too!

There's a project where volunteers lay down a stencil of a fallen soldier onto the beach to mark the casualties. Nine thousand times

www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/this-haunting-tribute-to-world-war-iis-fallen-will-give-you

[jerseyjaybird]

Jun 6, 2014 9:22:25 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Jun 6, 2014 9:18:28 GMT -5 jerseyjaybird said:

LOVE Camilla's outfit here. Sometimes she really knows just exactly what will work for her.

She really looks awesome, a good majority of the time, and especially today. Whoever styles her does a fantastic job. But she's not young and thin and pretty like Kate (or even Sophie) so we never hear about it.

Margrethe is also very classy today. Her outfits can be rather nutty sometimes, but it seems like she knows when to be appropriate.

Maxima seems to be into the turban look lately. Yes, interesting that she and QEII went with florals.

Well, and she has the ghost of a style icon looming over her. 

Love Daisy

[Deleted]

Here are some photos from our 2011 trip:

The first is a German cemetery in Normandy, the second is a German gun battery, and the third is Omaha beach. 

Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment Deleted

[Deleted]

Sorry, one last history nerd post for me. The audio files of the radio coverage of the D-Day invasion are available through the National Archives. Here is the link: archive.org/details/NBCCompleteBroadcastDDay

[raangoli]

Jun 6, 2014 9:24:55 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Jun 6, 2014 9:22:21 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

Love!

H and I are both big WWII buffs. Our retirement goal is to live in Europe for the 100th anniversary of the end of the war (so from May/ June 2044 through May/ June 2045). We visited Normandy and Omaha Beach in 2011 and it's one of the most memorable places I have ever visited. The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is amazing. If you ever visit, I strongly recommend also visiting a German cemetery in the area. The contrast between the two is amazing. The Germans buried 3 million people in France between WWI and WWII.

History nerd!

I'd like to see this someday, too!

There's a project where volunteers lay down a stencil of a fallen soldier onto the beach to mark the casualties. Nine thousand times

www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/this-haunting-tribute-to-world-war-iis-fallen-will-give-you

This is incredible - so moving! 

[mbcdefg]

William and Kate have arrived. They will attend a tea with veterans:



Earlier, the Queen laid a wreath on the monument at the CWGC Cemetery at Bayeux:



Live coverage continues here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO1t0JwKRqg&feature=share

They're doing some kind of reenactment/interpretive dance ... thing ... on the beach right now.

ETA: Better photos of Kate. I'm not digging the hat:

 

[Pom]

Jun 6, 2014 9:24:55 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Jun 6, 2014 9:22:21 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

Love!

H and I are both big WWII buffs. Our retirement goal is to live in Europe for the 100th anniversary of the end of the war (so from May/ June 2044 through May/ June 2045). We visited Normandy and Omaha Beach in 2011 and it's one of the most memorable places I have ever visited. The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is amazing. If you ever visit, I strongly recommend also visiting a German cemetery in the area. The contrast between the two is amazing. The Germans buried 3 million people in France between WWI and WWII.

History nerd!

I'd like to see this someday, too!

There's a project where volunteers lay down a stencil of a fallen soldier onto the beach to mark the casualties. Nine thousand times

www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/this-haunting-tribute-to-world-war-iis-fallen-will-give-you

I saw the stencil process televised.  There are no words.  A trip like this is def. on our bucket list.

[mbcdefg]

Back to Sweden for a moment ... the royal family members are riding through town in individual carriages, and Princess Estelle is waving to the crowds:

[perkyderky]

I'm actually surprised that neither AMC nor TCM aren't playing war movies or documentaries today.  I guess here in the US the 70th anniversary isn't that big a deal?  Or do we say "that's what Veteran's/Memorial day are for."  Maybe the US movie channels are planning on making the 100th anniversary of WWI a bigger deal?

Watching QEII enter, the standing ovation she received, and then the applause when she left was moving to say the least.  Amazing they included her in the video footage as well, considering, didn't the powers that be "forget" to invite her to the 60th or 65th anniversary?  It was good to see GD Henri was also given a great seat in which to view the display.

Was it just me, or did everything seem SO FAR AWAY?  I get that they want to highlight the actual beach...but dang.  The youngest Vets were in their early 80's--I can imagine they probably had trouble seeing some of the stuff on the stage and on the screens simply due to the distance.  Either way, I appreciate the efforts of all the veterans and thank them for their service.  It's really amazing to think about what they endured.

[londoncalling]

mbcdefg Prince Philip was a WWII veteran, serving in the Royal Navy, but was not a member of the Royal family at that time (they married in 1947), maybe that's the distinction?

And I will echo everyone and say that Normandy is one of my most favorite trips.  The stark contrast between the Normandy American Cemetery and the German cemetery was unbelievable.

My grandpa landed at Normandy, D-Day+2 as a cryptographer and while I didn't get to hear stories from him, I did have the opportunity to visit with a man from his signal corps a few years ago.

[mbcdefg]

Group pic! King and Queen of the Belgians, and the King and Queen of The Netherlands, with President Obama.

londoncalling, thanks to your grandpa for his service!

[mbcdefg]

Any Europeans here? Is Europe so mild/cool in the summertime that the ladies can continue to wear coats without passing out from the heat?

I realize that the UK, France, etc., are further north on the planet than I am near NYC, but the weather websites say that Normandy is 75 degrees F today. Yeesh.

[busterpup]

Very cool.

That's pretty ballsy for Putin to show up considering the company. But if there's one word to describe him, it wouldn't be meek.

It's interesting that there is such a gathering for the 70th anniversary. It seems like the 75th is more of a big-deal number. Not that I'm questioning it, I just find it interesting.

My DH went to Normandy when he was backpacking around Europe in college and said that elderly French people came up to him and thanked him for his country's efforts during that day and the war (I guess they heard him talking?). They said that they haven't forgotten it. It made the whole visit, and the meaning behind it, a lot more "real" for him.

[mbcdefg]

Jun 6, 2014 13:21:34 GMT -5 busterpup said:

Very cool.

That's pretty ballsy for Putin to show up considering the company. But if there's one word to describe him, it wouldn't be meek.

It's interesting that there is such a gathering for the 70th anniversary. It seems like the 75th is more of a big-deal number. Not that I'm questioning it, I just find it interesting.

My DH went to Normandy when he was backpacking around Europe in college and said that elderly French people came up to him and thanked him for his country's efforts during that day and the war (I guess they heard him talking?). They said that they haven't forgotten it. It made the whole visit, and the meaning behind it, a lot more "real" for him.

I wonder if they wanted to make a big deal for the 70th, knowing that a lot of these veterans will probably be gone in five years (I'd assume they'll do something for 75, too?)

That was nice of the French people to talk to your H. They went up to him simply because he had an American accent? How touching!

[jerseyjaybird]

Jun 6, 2014 13:24:27 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Jun 6, 2014 13:21:34 GMT -5 busterpup said:

Very cool.

That's pretty ballsy for Putin to show up considering the company. But if there's one word to describe him, it wouldn't be meek.

It's interesting that there is such a gathering for the 70th anniversary. It seems like the 75th is more of a big-deal number. Not that I'm questioning it, I just find it interesting.

My DH went to Normandy when he was backpacking around Europe in college and said that elderly French people came up to him and thanked him for his country's efforts during that day and the war (I guess they heard him talking?). They said that they haven't forgotten it. It made the whole visit, and the meaning behind it, a lot more "real" for him.

I wonder if they wanted to make a big deal for the 70th, knowing that a lot of these veterans will probably be gone in five years (I'd assume they'll do something for 75, too?)

That was nice of the French people to talk to your H. They went up to him simply because he had an American accent? How touching!

This is my assumption. I also think that it's probably important that Putin be there as head of state for Russia, an allied force during WWII (Russia's treatment of Finland notwithstanding . . . )---but, wow, how awkward.

[busterpup]

Jun 6, 2014 13:24:27 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Jun 6, 2014 13:21:34 GMT -5 busterpup said:

Very cool.

That's pretty ballsy for Putin to show up considering the company. But if there's one word to describe him, it wouldn't be meek.

It's interesting that there is such a gathering for the 70th anniversary. It seems like the 75th is more of a big-deal number. Not that I'm questioning it, I just find it interesting.

My DH went to Normandy when he was backpacking around Europe in college and said that elderly French people came up to him and thanked him for his country's efforts during that day and the war (I guess they heard him talking?). They said that they haven't forgotten it. It made the whole visit, and the meaning behind it, a lot more "real" for him.

I wonder if they wanted to make a big deal for the 70th, knowing that a lot of these veterans will probably be gone in five years (I'd assume they'll do something for 75, too?)

That was nice of the French people to talk to your H. They went up to him simply because he had an American accent? How touching!

That's a good point.  Even the youngest soldiers are in their late 80s now.  Though I'm guessing there was quite the event on the 50th for them (but with so many more alive at that point, maybe they couldn't do something special for each person).  

Yea, he said he thinks it was just his accent.  It was definitely moving for him to experience.  

[mbcdefg]

Jun 6, 2014 13:29:30 GMT -5 jerseyjaybird said:

Jun 6, 2014 13:24:27 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

I wonder if they wanted to make a big deal for the 70th, knowing that a lot of these veterans will probably be gone in five years (I'd assume they'll do something for 75, too?)

That was nice of the French people to talk to your H. They went up to him simply because he had an American accent? How touching!

This is my assumption. I also think that it's probably important that Putin be there as head of state for Russia, an allied force during WWII (Russia's treatment of Finland notwithstanding . . . )---but, wow, how awkward.

You know, I was so interested in how the other world leaders are reacting to Putin being there, that I completely forgot to wonder about how they're reacting to a German representative being there. (I know a lot of time has passed, and things are different now, but still.)

[jerseyjaybird]

Jun 6, 2014 13:34:53 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Jun 6, 2014 13:29:30 GMT -5 jerseyjaybird said:

This is my assumption. I also think that it's probably important that Putin be there as head of state for Russia, an allied force during WWII (Russia's treatment of Finland notwithstanding . . . )---but, wow, how awkward.

You know, I was so interested in how the other world leaders are reacting to Putin being there, that I completely forgot to wonder about how they're reacting to a German representative being there. (I know a lot of time has passed, and things are different now, but still.)

Now that you mention it . . . 

[msmerymac]

Jun 6, 2014 13:16:02 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

Any Europeans here? Is Europe so mild/cool in the summertime that the ladies can continue to wear coats without passing out from the heat?

I realize that the UK, France, etc., are further north on the planet than I am near NYC, but the weather websites say that Normandy is 75 degrees F today. Yeesh.

They have the north Atlantic current, so even though they are further north, the warmer waters from the Caribbean get swept up towards the coast of Europe and keep the climate more mild than it would otherwise be at that latitude. 

[msmerymac]

Jun 6, 2014 9:38:42 GMT -5 @idaholakelady said:

Sorry, one last history nerd post for me. The audio files of the radio coverage of the D-Day invasion are available through the National Archives. Here is the link: archive.org/details/NBCCompleteBroadcastDDay

Thanks for this. I'm listening to them while I work (from home). 

[mbcdefg]

Oooh, a royal hat blog popped up in my Twitter feed!

royalhats.wordpress.com/

Love this pic of Queens Elizabeth and Margrethe chatting earlier today. "Hey girl!"



And President Obama has made friends with Queen Max!



("Pffft, did you see Putin stroll in just like nothing happened?")

[mbcdefg]

Oh, and I heard this on the radio driving into work this morning ... the Statue of Liberty was showered with one million rose petals to commemorate D-Day:




www.northjersey.com/news/lady-liberty-showered-with-rose-petals-for-d-day-1.1030719

[MadamePresident]

My husband and I were in Normandy right after D-Day in 2011. We visited all the beaches and many of the historic sites on a tour. We stayed in St Mere Eagles at an Inn just outside of town. We were walking home from dinner one night as it was getting dark and we were running around saying Thunder and flash among all the hedges lining the road. We are kind of war nerds.