Prince William's Poignant Reading From D-Day Soldier's Diary

The Prince of Wales has made a speech in front of war veterans at an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Wearing his own military medals, William read an extract from the diary of Captain Alastair Bannerman of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, a soldier who was part of D-Day, addressed to his wife on the morning of the landings.

[@anastesia3127]

Thank you Prince William,for the utmost respect you gave to Captain Alastair Bannerman's poignant words 💜☮️🕊️🙏💜

[@miryambarnabas2424]

Amen in Agreement with you!

[@miryambarnabas2424]

Thank you! ❤️❤️

[@susandymock769]

I knew Alistair Bannerman and his wife. A truly lovely couple.

[@user-or4fe2sk3v]

Very moving. Love from Down Under.🦘

[@lodiamoore1139]

B​@@user-or4fe2sk3vSame here from fellow Aussie. Love William Prince of Wales our future King🦘🦘🦘

[@millie7335]

Thank you William, Lest we forget 🇬🇧

[@SmokeroftheFuture]

Isn't it weird how those people liberated in Europe in 1944 are the same evil people committing genocide of another religious ethnic group in Gaza as we celebrate?

[@lido6457]

William, Sir you will be an awesome King one day

[@jennifermorrison6954]

He certainly will.

[@biddylove6373]

Indeed he will.

[@skeeterm2162]

❤❤❤❤❤❤🇺🇸

[@Trip5252]

🦹‍♀️🦹‍♀️🧟‍♀️🖕🖕🖕🖕🦨

[@soniasalguero5493]

Amén 🙏

[@angiep1312]

RESPECT and HONOUR the VETERANS and NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICES.. Thank you Prince William..💯👏

[@ritamedina-molina8550]

Veterans must always be respected and cared for...not leave to live on the street whilst foreigners stay in hotels for free

[@PaulinePace-em6qj]

@@ritamedina-molina8550 you are so right

[@robshepherd3782]

They have forgotten it. The first French soldier to die on D Day was killed by a UKRAINIAN SS member.

[@virginiaarrieta8145]

What about his veteran brother?all blah blah hipocrits

[@angiep1312]

@@virginiaarrieta8145 His brother went on his freedom flight with the "love" of his life and some "fake" children.

[@BumbleBee666-u5t]

That letter was so moving. Thank you Prince William for reading it was eloquently ❤

[@julieannejoolz]

Prince William speaking so well, with eloquence..the brave who were willing to give up their lives, God Bless them and lest we forget. 🙏❤️❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🇬🇧

[@dianaulun951]

Princess Diana would be proud of Prince William 😍😍😍

[@teensymom1420]

Thank you William for bringing to life what those who fought went through. So many never made it home. We must teach our children about these amazing men and women...The Greatest Generation.

[@minah2141]

My dad was 17 when he fought in WW2. He was in the second wave on Omaha Beach. I thank God for his willingness to serve. My dad survived the invasion but lost many friends that day. My dad was in the US army.

[@kiakandai282]

I can only imagine your age as you are leaving this comment on youtube. Thank you to these brave soldiers, such as your dad, soldiers who were probably not even sure where Normandy was... They were just following orders and they were sent to be butchered on landing on these bare beaches by the Germans.... I am from Normandy and have walked on these beaches many times in my youth. Bunkers have been preserved and that serves as a reminder to what had happened there that day..

[@monaperdue5412]

The words, spoken in Prince William's most appropriate voice, bode well for The Royal Family, and the citizens of Great Britain, and The World influenced by them. Queen Elizabeth would be so proud of her grandson were she listening to him today.

[@magustef8710]

Sein Vater,der König ist auch ganz sicher stolz und dankbar auf seinen loyalen Erwachsenen Sohn.

[@ElizabethCisneros-se6ie]

❤❤❤

[@mariahoulihan9483]

undoubtedly, she would.

[@damianjblack]

Gods rest Her Majesty's soul, and Gods bless HRH Prince William.

[@user-or4fe2sk3v]

@@damianjblack Yes, indeed, and also HRH Princess Catherine for a full recovery to good health. From Down Under. 🦘

[@iamnotfooled]

The UK is Sooooooo blessed to have Prince William as a future King. God bless and protect him, Catherine and their children !!

[@rhonataylor85]

@@user-mc3mm7us9band neither do you…Sussex Squaddie?

[@simabelhinha4973]

​@@user-mc3mm7us9b Can you decodify??????????

[@cinnamonstar808]

This will aged well.

[@andrewoliver8930]

The young men who fought are the ones to celebrate.

[@christinejoy3030]

@@andrewoliver8930That’s exactly what they are doing.

[@marieross]

Such a poignant reminder seeing the old gentlemen who were so young when fighting in this war. Respect. Moving speech by Prince William❤️🇬🇧

[@disneygirl276]

This has me in tears. My grandfather was US Army Infantry, injured in France, hospitalized in England for some time as he recovered. Our family was so blessed that he returned home. So many did not. Thank you Prince William for this incredibly powerful and moving remembrance. 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧

[@maryfromyorkregion6594]

Respect, love, and gratitude for your grandfather. 🇨🇦

[@PaulinePace-em6qj]

God bless him Thank you sir

[@disneygirl276]

@@maryfromyorkregion6594 Thank you so much ❤️

[@disneygirl276]

@@PaulinePace-em6qj Thank you ❤️

[@lorrifrench4460]

@disneygirl276 Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing about your grandfather. Thank you to him for his service. God bless you both . ❤️🇺🇸

[@Wee_Chuck2634]

Thank you, Prince William. Respect to our veterans for those who gave their lives for our country and other countries. Lest we forget 🇬🇧

[@miryambarnabas2424]

Amen in Agreement with you Dear Friend! 🙏🏼

[@user-pr3kb6ie9v]

I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear. William spoke eloquently and brought the soldiers words to life. God bless the souls of the fallen who fought so bravely.

[@ritamedina-molina8550]

Respect your veterans...not running around with hamas terrorists

[@virginiaarrieta8145]

Ur bro is veteran too.dont be hipocrit

[@mdl603]

Nosotros no nos olvidamos de MALVINAS.😊

[@user-ud6gu3oq4x]

This brought tears to my eyes. Love The Prince of Wales 🙏❤️🇺🇸

[@mammyval]

❤William is his mother’s pride! She would live the man he has become

[@virginiaarrieta8145]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@gordonsmith8899]

Harry was his mother's pride. William is loyal to his father.

[@user-fd1ux7mt1d]

He was her favorite, best loved, and rightly so.

[@wandahargrove6109]

❤❤God Bless HRH Prince William. He is very eloquant and his love of Country & Veterans shows through.❤❤

[@biddylove6373]

From a South African whose mother, father, grandfather, three uncles and father in law answered the call...At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. May God Bless the Prince of Wales.

[@maryfromyorkregion6594]

Much love, respect, and appreciation to your family for their war-time dedication and service. 🇨🇦🙏

[@biddylove6373]

@@maryfromyorkregion6594 thank you so much. Two of my uncles gave their lives...one after being taken prisoner at Tobruk and the other in his aeroplane aged just 19 years. He is buried in Italy. May they rest in peace.

[@gilliandawson6567]

Thank you to your family. Also had an uncle who served in North Africa, who was blessed to come home. 🇿🇦

[@Mama_LIN_Tee]

Thank you to your family members for their service. My deepest respect and love to you and yours. 🥰

[@magustef8710]

​@@biddylove6373🙏

[@heathercook6314]

Sobbing our children and childrens children should be taught our history. Lest we forget 😢

[@juliecasey5196]

Lest We Forget.🇬🇧🇦🇺🌺🌺🙏🙏

[@richard9215]

Grand speech, Prince William ❤

[@joansavage1857]

Thank you William. Let us all remember them!!❤

[@min-ru8236]

Thank you Prince William. Lest we forget.🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@grandma2568]

What a great man Prince William ! He cares about people and it shows !!

[@Bluemoon_75]

Prince William our future King. Thank you Prince William my grandad lost his life in WW2 at age 23. I never met him. His memory was kept alive. Thank you for remembering this very important day. ❤️ Lest we never Forget ! The world has forgotten the sacrifice they made. fought for. Not me.Not my children. William Talbot you did not die in vein. We love you ❤️

[@maryfromyorkregion6594]

Your grandad, William Talbot, did not die in vain . WE are truly grateful to him. Blessings to you and your family. 🇨🇦

[@madambutterfly4352]

❤❤❤

[@Frauenhaus]

People are still missing in our communities, as they fight in some pointless wars.

[@virginiaarrieta8145]

His brother is a real vet. He never when on the front line

[@angelasparkes7625]

I lost my grandfather on the fields of northern France in World War I and sadly I never got to know him.

[@mlouise1828]

He has a beautiful voice that you will not be bored how much long he talks even for hours. Respect to all the veterans. Good job future king, #PrinceofWales, #PrinceWilliam.❤

[@Ukbrummie]

Imagine being told you have to liberate a continent. Such bravery

[@tracyhaddon2773]

Great speech Prince William respect to all. X

[@maryettamoody5079]

God bless you prince William you are a brilliant example of a true Toyal

[@maryettamoody5079]

Royal Queen Elizabeth would have been proud

[@Yllufepoh4202]

What a lovely future king ❤👑

[@lyndacole5676]

My dad was part of the D-Day landing, aged 19. He was taken prisoner and was lucky enough to return home. He had nightmares about his experiences for ever after. He died 12 years ago aged 86, he was still re-living D-Day, some of his last words were calling for a Corpsman to help an injured colleague.

[@patriciahoughton3547]

I feel for you. God bless 🙏

[@deborah85728]

Well done Prince William , you read your speech so powerfully yet so poignantly.

[@lorrifrench4460]

Thank you William, Prince of Wales for sharing and honoring Capt. Alastair’s words . God bless you both 🇬🇧 regards from the USA 🇺🇸❤️

[@user-ou3zg2ll9w]

A moving, perfect speech Prince William❤ you will make a wonderful King❤

[@Tomtaylor7337]

Well done Sir. Prince of Wales, thank you for remembering those who fought for our freedom 😢

[@crystalheart9]

My dad was at the Battle of the Bulge. He's passed on now. Thank you to all the brave veterans. A beautiful reading by Prince William.

[@kismit100]

I love my royal family deeply These brave brave men and women we can only imagine the horrors 😢 LEST WE FORGOT WILLIAM YOU ARE A SPECTACULAR HUMAN BEING ❤

[@littleshrimp6048]

Beautiful speech. Freedom is something so relevant at this time of censorship. Respect for those who served and for those still trying to keep us free.

[@TheoTheTimeTravelingMagician]

Amazing. Not a royalist in the least, but I like William. Seems like a good guy. Him and his dad too. Best wishes from the USA, and may charles have the least possible pain when it comes to his cancer. And Williams wife too. ❤

[@elainagilbert7663]

Just out of curiosity, why aren't you a royalist?

[@elainagilbert7663]

@@GCMC-m2h I'm an American Monarchist and it makes me sad that we haven't tried Monarchy again. I'm glad you at least have respect and appreciation for their hard work.

[@TheoTheTimeTravelingMagician]

@@GCMC-m2h exactly. I just don’t believe in some of their views, and I don’t believe in that family having some divine right to rule. But I’m very fascinated with the British monarchy’s history, the good and the bad, and I really love the whole formality and tradition that is in all of their ceremonies and things. I find them quite interesting. These royals are much better than some past royals, especially the extremely imperialist ones. These more recent generations seem like genuinely good people, especially King Charles and his kids and grandkids. There’s my long answer.

[@Helen-wz2qb]

We must never forget. God Bless to all the serving soldiers who lost their lives to protect our freedoms.. 🙏 And to those left behind to build our Great Nation back up again. My Grandfather was one of such heroes, though he never thought himself as one. A wonderful and powerful speech from Prince William on the 80th Anniversary of D- Day. ❤ 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Bhope24com]

God bless our lovely prince William ❤🙏👑👑👑

[@Ke70481]

God bless Prince William 👑

[@user-ou3zg2ll9w]

@@Ker-mk3bf What are you on about? So disrespectful as we are honouring these brave veterans!

[@traceycrawford9938]

So moving. Wonderful speech Prince William. Remembering their sacrifices for us ❤️❤️🇦🇺🇬🇧

[@barbarapinto7178]

I thank God for all the vetrans.we honor them

[@Betafish333]

Only P. William could deliver such a beautiful memory wrote by a soldier last moments ..he return other never did😢

[@karenbrowne4320]

Thank you to the greatest generation who saved not only Britain but Western Europe and possibly beyond if the Allied Forces had not prevailed. We remember not only the British Army, Navy and RAF who fought and sacrificed but also the bravery and sacrifice of our Commonweath friends and our American cousins. We do not forget and we remember with honour and deep gratitude ❤️

[@user-jx3qd4qh3i]

My uncle landed on the beach in Normandy, D Day. Lest we never forget, ❤😢. Their sacrifice is our freedom

[@tonyandjanetparker3204]

My grandad was in the D day landings. He made it back home, but not without physical and mental injuries.

[@marymcdermott9581]

Thank you HRH William for this wonderful address. so many lost their lives.....lest we forget 🙏

[@alexiafelix1074]

Prince William thank you for the respect to read this emotional letter. God blees those brave soldiers.

[@alphabetacanton]

Truly a King in waiting! Princes William knows the meaning of duty, compassion, empathy, patriotism, and faith.

[@mary-annebarnett654]

What an accolade by our future King. Respect and dignity. Never forget.

[@pato6726]

Thank you, Prince William! Honoring the veterans...Lest We Forget!

[@kismit100]

I love my royal family deeply These brave brave men and women we can only imagine the horrors 😢 LEST WE FORGOT

[@tennesseenana4838]

Excellently done!

[@lidavandermerwe9534]

I agree ❤

[@loiscarteaux9389]

So thankful for the bravery of these men and their sacrifice.

[@jennyleishman9617]

HRH Prince William the Prince of Wales will surely make a great King one day when his turn comes around…What an Eloquent speech he gave…Remembering all who gave their lives for King and Country 👑🇬🇧also to those Veterans still alive ,it will be forever etched in their memory…God bless you all.God save the King…👑🇬🇧

[@worldgonemad1977]

I have family who lost their lives in that war and I found Prince William’s speech very moving.

[@maryannec.moravec6289]

A stirring reading. He displays great dignity.! I know his father is SO proud.

[@lexiebear55]

Prince William thank you for reading the letter, you always show such compassion ❤ yes we must remember the joint forces who gave their lives to end the awful wars, we must never forget them

[@lady12roses]

Beautifully read by Prince William ✨️

[@tiger8linny788]

Dear, Prince William, Your heartfelt reading of Capt. Bannerman’s letter to his wife and children brought me to tears. Our gratitude for these courageous soldiers, who risked their life’s blood to keep the world free, must never wane! I have similar WWll letters from my Dad while he served in the U.S. Army and grew up in awe and admiration of these extraordinary soldiers. Thank you for both your military and Royal service and I extend my love and very best healing wishes to the Princess of Wales❣️

[@bantehayes9973]

I'm tearing up right now. That was utterly beautiful.

[@maryfromyorkregion6594]

Agree, beautifully said. 🇨🇦

[@joannmitchell1314]

Thank you Prince William, for bringing to life the memories of those that gave us our freedom, with our prayers for your family, God bless and keep!

[@m.g.3679]

And this is why we love the Royals. They always shine the light towards others. What a great homage for veterans to read Captain Alistair's words in PW speech. Thank you veterans, always in debt

[@williestyle35]

Prince William did a commendable job here, remembering the service personnel that fought against genocidal Nazis on the beaches and shores of Normandy. If you want to see another member of the Royal Family give a speech derived from the words of a sailor that served on D Day, check out Princess Anne at the Vigil...

[@m.g.3679]

@@williestyle35 Thanks I watched it, it was great. Also loved a speech KC gave regarding how we "should honour the freedom they fought for with a balance of rights and civil responsibilities to our country". Thought that message also truly honours the type of country veterans fought for. Beautiful to see Royals commemorating veterans and DDay !!

[@williestyle35]

@@m.g.3679 yes, it is lovely to see so many of the Royal Family out honouring the Veterans and soldiers that fought on the beaches of D Day and beyond!

[@MontagZoso]

Thank you Prince William for your wonderful tribute. Massive respect and blessings to all of these bravest of men. With love from 🇺🇸❤️

[@kimberlystern8451]

My Dad was too young for WWII but remembers the landing at Normandy! Dad went with a Doctor’s Group to Normandy about two decades ago. Many in the group were there fighting. These men who fought and survived now literally walking on that beach yet again were dropping to their knees and crying. Dad said it was surreal watching what was unfolding in front of him and so very emotional, it was hard not to breakdown himself! My Dad loved history. I wish I had ask more questions about D-day. Dad died last August at 90! God Bless all the soldiers and their families who fought for our freedom and the souls who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom! 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@maryfromyorkregion6594]

Thank you for this heartfelt description of a return to Normandy Beach... 🇨🇦🙏

[@williestyle35]

May all who read your moving words about your dad get the message - talk and listen to your loved ones while they are here with us! Ask about their experiences and recollections, soak in the knowledge they have to pass on, then pass it on yourself.

[@Rhonda-df7oo]

Thank you Prince William. Delivered with so much respect. 🇺🇸

[@hazelmccloy1136]

This made me cry. Beautifully read.

[@lindab1792]

My Mothers' Brother, my Uncle Edward Childs, from Michigan, spent time in a German POW camp. Came home frail and very thin, lived a long life, raised five Children. I am grateful to hear Prince Williams touching reading today.

[@amyjones8114]

Wouldn’t King George VI, who had such struggles with speech, have been proud of his great-grandson!❤

[@user-qy9rt9cy2b]

Thank you too the soldiers who are still alive salute your bravery. Also too those who have passed away rip . We will never have another generation like you god bless 🙏

[@williestyle35]

We might not ever need another generation like the Greatest Generation, hopefully . They fought against tyranny and oppression, so that all that came after them would not have to sacrifice themselves in that way.

[@lindablackmore]

I admire and love Prince William! Great Britain and Canada are so blessed to have him, his lovely wife and children! God bless them! 😀🇬🇧🇨🇦

[@barbstegner4639]

THANK you Prince William..What a Beautiful tribute ❤ to ✨ the fallen soldiers 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@cathy001hopkins6]

Thank you, Prince William, beautifully read and a reminder to us all of the great sacrifice that was made by so many!

[@Kre8tif]

What a wonderful reflection of England he is.

[@kathleenlynch5763]

God Bless you and your Family Prince William.that was beautifully said. And God Bless all our Brave servicemen past and present for keeping us safe.

[@williestyle35]

Good comment. If you want more like this, and to be moved to tears - check out the brief speech given by Princess Anne at the Vigil - she reads the words of a sailor that served on D Day as well.

[@helenjackson1666]

Beautiful speech from our loving caring Prince William ❤❤

[@IndieAnnieJones1]

Prince William what a beautiful commemorative speech relating not your words but those of a soldier honoring his and the memory of countless soldiers.

[@williestyle35]

Yes, Prince William did a commendable job here, remembering the service personnel that fought on the beaches and on the shores of Normandy. If you want to cry a little bit more, check out the speech given by Princess Anne at the Vigil...

[@gailg2327]

Thank you Veterans. Thank you Prince William for your beautiful tribute to these brave men & women who fought against tyranny so we could live in Peace and prosperity. They did this for all of us. 💙Now we are in at war again!, sadly.

[@heatherlawson-eg3od]

Thank you William for your respect you are a treasure for UK and vetrans true of heart

[@sandrahogg1983]

What fantastic speech i was in tears my dad was one of those brave men

[@jori7398]

Poignant. This was a gorgeous selection to read, to honor them for their service and sacrifice.

[@DiyEcoProjects]

Thank you Prince William ~ blood and honour, and deep respect Never forget, rest in peace

[@rw6532]

Magnificent speech! Pure eloquence! A king in the making! Your mother would be so proud of you! 👏 Giving honour to those that truly deserve honour! Well done our magnificent future king! 🙏

[@dvldg271]

Wow! Prince William did an amazing job of sharing that story with others to honor the Veterans who gave all!

[@surfingtheoceanoftheinterwebs]

What's so amazing is how that letter by Capt. Bannerman is written in a beautiful way that no one writes today. His letter was beautifully descriptive, full of love and bravery. The pondering of what the soldiers in France were thinking was so very human. I'm so sad he was a POW but so glad he returned home.

[@sherrelstroot3034]

Excellent presentation. Poignant words. Thank you, Prince William.

[@wongsiawee8373]

So inspiring! So proud of our Prince William...nation above all!

[@angeld3500]

HRH WILLIAM PRINCE OF WILLIAM… WHAT A VOICE.. MY EARS ARE SWOONING JUST LISTENING TO HIM… BEAUTIFULLY DONE…✨🇨🇦💖RESPECTFUL OF THE VETERANS.. AU REVOIR..

[@carolinerix2390]

Lovely speech from Prince of Wales

[@josephlezano7691]

Very moving and touching speech by HRH The Prince of Wales . Well said . God bless him .

[@user-gw3ob9un6d]

I am grateful to all that fought, died or survived on D-Day so my French brothers and sister could be free. Whether they were British, American, Canadian or free French, Polish, Danes or any other nations, we have to remember their sacrifice. The French call this " Devoir de memoire" ( Duty to remember)

[@maryfromyorkregion6594]

Thank you for your message. My mother's parents were French-Canadians from Trois Rivières, Quebec. 🇨🇦

[@williestyle35]

I am grateful to my French cousins for all they did to help my nation become independent (my family name is derived from a geographical feature of Normandy). Respect to you and yours, and Thank You for recognizing all the "others" that fought with us in the Allied cause.

[@martinmarsola6477]

A very solemn reading. Very touching indeed! God bless them all.🙏🏻🇬🇧👍🇺🇸

[@marymanuel4452]

Such a great tribute from Prince William to the brave veterans who fought for our freedom. It is crucial that this continues to be remembered for years to come. We cannot even begin to imagine what each and every veteran must have thought about that day, not knowing if they would live and see their beloved families again. We will alwys be indebted to their bravery for fighting for us to have our freedom. Thank you all.

[@eveb446]

Thank you Prince William and God bless you and your family.

[@MalibuBarbie-kk5gc]

From across the pond, thank you Prince William for this very moving speech.

[@sueharvey6603]

Beautifully done,YRH. Thank you!x

[@user-el1ju7ih4k]

Beautiful speech from Prince William. He made it about the armed forces personnel who fought and died in the wars. He will make a great King one day❤

[@judylav5]

Beautifully written and brilliantly spoken.

[@marileearsenault4749]

Never to be forgotten. Makes you tear up, so powerful.