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Charles to attend D-Day service as Sarkozy acts
Joe Murphy and Sri Carmichael02.06.09
Prince Charles will attend the 65th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings in France, Clarence House confirmed today.
Days of public anger at the French government's apparent decision to snub the royal family have led up to president Nicolas Sarkozy's last-minute invitation.
The Queen was not asked to join the official events in Normandy on Saturday, with Paris saying it was the British government's responsibility to decide who would represent the UK.
A Clarence House spokesman said: "The Prince of Wales will be attending the commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy at the invitation of President Sarkozy."
Royal insiders dismissed reports that pressure from American president Barack Obama led the French to back down. One well-placed source said: "Prince Charles and the Queen decided it was appropriate for him to attend. Discussions were held directly between Clarence House officials and the French embassy, and the invitation was forthcoming from the embassy this morning.
"No10 was kept closely informed of discussions throughout. But to say President Obama was involved is a red herring. The prince wanted to make this work. He has a very good relationship with President Sarkozy."
It is understood Prince Charles will join Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the main commemoration event at Colville-sur-Mer, which President Sarkozy and President Obama will also attend.
Further details about the prince's visit are expected to be announced by tomorrow morning.
Reader views (8)
Brown is a dead duck and with little or no credibility with the Armed Forces given his penny pinching which cost so many lives in Iraq. Remember the body armor debacle? Are memories so short?
- James Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, NY
This was nothing to do with the French government, it was another Crash balls-up! (I know it's hard to keep up, there are that many of them)
- Marianne, SW France/London
what a set of ridiculous comments on this post.
"Brown has done more damage than the Nazi's" - Now Mordwinoff - think about what that means!!!!!!!!
Lets move on.
- Jc, se1
Charles should not attend, neither should any politicians. How short their memories are,many British and Canadians gave their lives for France and this snub by Sarkosy is a betrayal to the brave fighters who fought on that countries soil long before the Americans came into WW2.
- Jim Ex Pat,Islington , thailand
Why blame the French? MUCH more likley that Brown wanted to steal the lime light and opted to go instead of the queen. The French response hints as much.
- Charles, london
I hope Charles presented President Sarkozy with a white flag for their heroic efforts in WW2.
The Queen was better off staying at home anyway.
- Mickyinlondon, london
This is absurd. HM IS the Head of State not Gordon Brown. The French president has deliberately insulted the UK
- Peter Glazier, Sao Paulo, Brazil
There is no need for Brown to go now. He has never worn a uniform,has done more damage to the U.K than the Nazis & has snubbed the Royal Family by not ensuring that H.M.the Queen was invited,
- Mordwinoff, Lisle France.
