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5 months ago
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An 80-boat flotilla sailed off the coast of Cornwall today where around 27,000 troops departed eight decades ago to take part in the D-Day landings.
The fleet of vessels travelled down the River Fal, Falmouth, where Allied Forces troops were stationed throughout 1943 and part of 1944.
The flotilla - which comprised of local boat owners - started in the area close to Tolverne and Turnaware Bar at 3pm.
The flotilla then made its way down the Carrick Roads - the large body of deep water that separates Falmouth from the Roseland Peninsula - passing between Black Rock and Pendennis Point before finishing off Gyllyngvase Beach.
Local Richard Wilcox told the Falmouth Packet: 'What a memorable day it has been. Falmouth did itself proud.
An 80-strong boat flotilla sails off the coast of Falmouth, in Cornwall
The fleet of vessels travelled down the River Fal, Falmouth, where Allied Forces troops were stationed throughout 1943 and part of 1944
The flotilla - which comprised of local boat owners - started in the area close to Tolverne and Turnaware Bar at 3pm
The flotilla then made its way down the Carrick Roads - the large body of deep water that separates Falmouth from the Roseland Peninsula
It passed between Black Rock and Pendennis Point before finishing off Gyllyngvase Beach
A mix of small craft take part in the 80-vessel flotilla parade off Falmouth, Cornwall
'All those years ago, this area played a crucial role, with troops stationed at Treverne, Turnaware Point and other locations along the river, and that is why we wanted to mark the occasion with an event such as this.
'Thank you to all who participated and helped organise with us.'
The D-Day commemoration events in Falmouth started with a wreath-laying service in Kimberley Park.
Two wreaths were laid at 1pm - one by the Town Mayor of Falmouth and one by a military representative.
This was followed by the flotilla and the events finished with the lighting of a beacon in celebration of the 'light of peace' that emerged out of the darkness of war.
The commemorations in Falmouth come as world leaders and veterans gathered in Normandy, France to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Prince William stepped in for his father to thank veterans for fighting for freedom as he represented Britain today.
People watch as an 80-strong boat flotilla, one for each year since the D-Day landings, sails off the coast of Falmouth
An 80-strong boat flotilla, one for each year since the D-Day landings, sails off the coast of Falmouth
The D-Day commemoration events in Falmouth started with a wreath-laying service in Kimberley Park
Two wreaths were laid at 1pm - one by the Town Mayor of Falmouth and one by a military representative
The commemorations in Falmouth come as world leaders and veterans gathered in Normandy, France to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings
Boats sail down the River Fal in Falmouth, Cornwall
Each boat represented a year since the D Day landings in 1944
An aerial view of the flotilla on the river in Falmouth
An 80-strong boat flotilla, one for each year since the D-Day landings, sails off the coast of Falmouth, in Cornwall
A spectator watches the fleet round Pendennis headland during the 80-vessel flotilla parade off Falmouth
The fleet takes part in the 80-vessel flotilla parade off Falmouth during commemorations for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day
The fleet rounds Pendennis headland during the 80-vessel flotilla parade off Falmouth
A mix of small craft take part in the 80-vessel flotilla parade off Falmouth during commemorations for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day
An aerial view of the boats rounding the Pendennis headland
The commemorations in Falmouth come as world leaders and veterans gathered in Normandy, France to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings
The 41-year-old deputised for his father King Charles at the major event on Omaha Beach while His Majesty continues to recover after undergoing treatment for cancer earlier this year.
The monarch had been present at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer earlier in the day, paying tribute to the 'remarkable wartime generation' who put their lives on the line to end the Nazi occupation of Europe.
However, he and Queen Camilla have decided not attend the international commemorative ceremony in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer which is 20 miles (32km) away, giving his eldest son and heir to the throne William a chance to shine.
Charles led a crowd of 2,000 people, which included Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron in a poignant silent prayer to remember those no longer with us, while memories of those who were on the beaches 80 years ago were also read out.
Those veterans in attendance were presented with white roses by French schoolchildren while cadets waved flags, and received multiple standing ovations during the two-hour-long service, before shaking hands and exchanging words with His Majesty.
Photographs also show William greeting Zelensky as they attended the ceremony on Omaha Beach earlier today.
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