Portsmouth will be the focal point of the UK commemorations for D-Day 75. There will be a host of events taking place from 5 to 9 June, including the UK’s national event on 5 June - being organised by the Ministry of Defence on behalf of HM Government and in association with the Royal British Legion.
The day will begin with a major national commemorative event on Southsea Common, for which heads of state from around the world have been invited. Hundreds of veterans will also be in attendance, before they head off to cross the Channel for Normandy once again. Due to the nature of this event and the invited guests, security will be high and large areas of Southsea Common will be closed to the public. However, the events will be shown live on BBC, with large screens set up for those who want to make their way down in person.
The event will include a naval gun salute fired from a Royal Navy frigate, followed by a spectacular flypast of up to 25 modern and historic aircraft. These will include the Red Arrows and iconic Spitfire. The Red Arrows will return later in the afternoon for a full display above Southsea Common.
The evening commemorations will see MV Boudicca depart Portsmouth with 300 D-Day veterans on board for their trip to Normandy. The ship, specially chartered by the Royal British Legion, will be escorted by a Royal Navy vessel to represent the famous crossings that took place 75 years ago. Visitors will be welcomed to wave the ship off on its journey.
The MV Boudicca will be met in the Solent by a line of Royal Navy vessels for a sail past salute. This will be followed by the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight over Portsmouth to mark the departure of The Royal British Legion’s ship.
Timings (subject to change)
7am - 1pm - National commemorative event.
8am - Big screens on Southsea Common open.
9am - Live coverage of the national commemorative event begins on BBC One.
12:45pm - Royal Navy frigate gun salute and flypast.
4.15pm - Red Arrows display.
6:25pm MV Boudicca departs.
7:40pm - The RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The day will begin with a major national commemorative event on Southsea Common, for which heads of state from around the world have been invited. Hundreds of veterans will also be in attendance, before they head off to cross the Channel for Normandy once again. Due to the nature of this event and the invited guests, security will be high and large areas of Southsea Common will be closed to the public. However, the events will be shown live on BBC, with large screens set up for those who want to make their way down in person.
The event will include a naval gun salute fired from a Royal Navy frigate, followed by a spectacular flypast of up to 25 modern and historic aircraft. These will include the Red Arrows and iconic Spitfire. The Red Arrows will return later in the afternoon for a full display above Southsea Common.
The evening commemorations will see MV Boudicca depart Portsmouth with 300 D-Day veterans on board for their trip to Normandy. The ship, specially chartered by the Royal British Legion, will be escorted by a Royal Navy vessel to represent the famous crossings that took place 75 years ago. Visitors will be welcomed to wave the ship off on its journey.
The MV Boudicca will be met in the Solent by a line of Royal Navy vessels for a sail past salute. This will be followed by the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight over Portsmouth to mark the departure of The Royal British Legion’s ship.
Timings (subject to change)
7am - 1pm - National commemorative event.
8am - Big screens on Southsea Common open.
9am - Live coverage of the national commemorative event begins on BBC One.
12:45pm - Royal Navy frigate gun salute and flypast.
4.15pm - Red Arrows display.
6:25pm MV Boudicca departs.
7:40pm - The RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
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