Prince William said Princess Kate Middleton is “doing better” and “would have loved” to have joined him in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, known as D-Day.
The 41-year-old heir to the British throne gave an update on Kate’s condition during the ceremony in Portsmouth, England, this Wednesday (5) afternoon, after giving a speech to veterans and while meeting with members of the public.
When a war survivor asked about William’s wife, a video posted on X showed him responding: “She’s better, thank you. She would have loved to be here today.”
Kate is being treated for an unspecified cancer. King Charles III, 75, who is also battling cancer, and Queen Camilla, 76, also attended the event.
William added that he was speaking to women who worked at Bletchley Park as code breakers during the Second World War alongside Kate’s grandmother, Valerie Middleton.
The royal added: “I was reminding everyone how her grandmother served at Bletchley, so she had a lot in common with some of the women here.”
He also told a woman at the event: “My wife’s grandmother did the same kind of thing as you. Catherine only found out at the end of her life.”
Valerie worked with her twin sister Mary at Hut 16 in Bletchley Park as part of the team of codebreakers who unlocked the secrets of the German Enigma machine, with their efforts seen as ultimately something that helped the UK win the war.
Speaking to other veterans, William said: “I found it very moving, all the stories and letters, even now, 80 years later.”
When a veteran commented to William “thank you”, the prince replied: “No, we are here to thank you. We are here to say a big thank you to you and all your colleagues and friends who were unable to return.”
Charles spoke at the event
Charles also spoke at the event and was introduced to a 99-year-old skydiver, who turns 100 in August, and joked: “I’ll leave your card [de aniversário] ready”.
Charles said of WWII personnel while wearing medals and with Camilla by his side: “We are all forever in their debt.”
He added: “The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity you have heard today and throughout our lives cannot fail to move us, inspire us and remind us of what we owe to that great wartime generation, now tragically dwindling to so few.
“It is our duty to ensure that we and future generations do not forget their service and sacrifice in replacing tyranny with freedom,” he added.
William, in turn, commented in his speech to the crowd: “Our guests of honor today are the veterans of the Normandy landings, who have come from across our nation and from all walks of life to join the fight against tyranny. .
“Many of those who took up arms had never seen combat before, some were still just teenagers,” he added.
William also read moving letters from war heroes’ diaries, adding: “We will always remember those who served and those who discharged them.”
“The mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go into battle, not knowing if they would return. Today we remember the bravery of those who crossed this sea to liberate Europe. Those who ensured Operation Overlord was a success. And those who waited for his safe return.” he concluded.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took to the stage and read letters from veterans at the event, which was also attended by Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
Source: CNN Brasil
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