Prince William's subtle tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at D-Day commemorations
Prince William attended the D-Day 80th anniversary national commemorations in Portsmouth, along the south coast of England, on Wednesday.
The Prince of Wales was the first of the royals to arrive, with the 41-year-old taking his seat in the stands alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Keen royal watchers noticed William paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II - or "granny" as he called her - among the series of medals pinned to his chest.
READ MORE: Charles and Camilla get emotional during D-Day commemoration
The Prince of Wales proudly donned the medals for his granny, the late Queen Elizabeth II's Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees on his chest. Andrew Matthews - Pool/Getty Images
Wearing a suit instead of uniform to the event, the Prince of Wales proudly donned the medals for the late queen's Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees.
These were worn on the left-side of his chest, alongside the King's Coronation medal from 2023.
The Prince of Wales also wore the Order of the Bath, which is awarded to members of the military or civil service for exemplary service, for the very first time.
The adornment hung around his neck on a red ribbon just weeks after being given the honour of Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath by King Charles at the end of April.
READ MORE: The royals we can expect to see at Trooping the Colour
The Prince of Wales also wore the Order of the Bath, seen on a ribbon around his neck, for the very first time. Leon Neal/Getty Images
The Prince of Wales was the first of the royals to arrive, with the 41-year-old taking his seat in the stands alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Dylan Martinez - Pool/Getty Images
He takes over the role from his father, who held the position while heir to the throne.
Prince William took to the stage during the commemorative event in Southsea Common, the port city from which Allied Forces departed for Normandy, France back in 1944.
Prince William told the crowd he was "deeply honoured" to take part in the commemorations and help "recognise the bravery" of those "that came from across our nation and from all walks of life to join in the fight against tyranny".
He then gave a reading of a letter taken from the diary of Captain Alastair Bannerman, a soldier who participated in the D-Day landings.
"We will always remember those who served and those who waved them off," the Prince of Wales said.
"The mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go into battle, unsure if they would ever return."
Following his speech, Prince William returned to the stands to welcome his father and step-mother, King Charles and Queen Camilla, to the event. AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool
Following his speech, Prince William returned to the stands to welcome his father and step-mother, King Charles and Queen Camilla, to the event.
The trio sat side-by-side as they heard stories from veterans and watched performances before meeting some of the surviving war heroes.
The Prince of Wales will make his way to France on Thursday for commemoration events on the anniversary of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.
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