Prince William's military medals explained as he proudly wears five at D-Day event
Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla have been representing the Royal Family in Portsmouth as they commemorate 80 years since D-Day.
D-Day: King Charles gives speech at 80th anniversary memorial event
Prince William has debuted Great Master of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath neck order today while in Portsmouth for the start of the D-Day 80th anniversary celebrations.
The Prince of Wales wore the honour fastened around his neck with a red ribbon as he delivered a speech paying tribute to those who had taken part in the military operation, which began the liberation of France from Nazi control.
The Order of the Bath is the fourth most senior Order of Chivalry after The Most Noble Order of the Garter, The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, and The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick, with William currently the Great Master of the Order.
King Charles is the Sovereign of the Order, which dates back to medieval times as members were honoured on the battlefield for their military contributions and then literally bathed to symbolise the purification of their souls.
William wore four other impressive medals pinned to his lapel, all ones which were bestowed upon him following a significant royal occasion.
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The Prince of Wales sported his Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee medals alongside his most recent addition, the King Charles Coronation medal.
His younger brother Prince Harry was also notably awarded a King's Coronation medal but has yet to be seen wearing it in public, although it is not meant to be a snub to his family.
A source explained to the Daily Mail that Harry's Coronation medal was "swing-mounted" on a short ribbon and needed to be adjusted by a specialist onto a longer ribbon to "stop it from swinging around".
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William began his speech by giving thanks to those who had made the perilous journey across the English Channel in June 1944, saying: "I am deeply honoured to join you today to recognise the bravery of all of those like John Haddock who participated in the D-Day landings, the start of the liberation of France and Europe, that led to victory of the Allied Powers.
"Our guests of honour today are those veterans from the Normandy landing, that came from across our nation and from all walks of life to join in the fight against tyranny.
"Many of those that took up arms had never seen combat before, some were still only in their teens. In their letters and diaries, we see their great strength."
He then read out an extract from a letter written by Captain Alastair Bannerman to his wife on the morning of D-Day: "The whole Channel between us and Cherbourg is filled with little ships which all quietly and efficiently sail towards France. The British, Canadian and American fighting forces on the war path.
"I do not believe that I can now write for very long. We can now see the French coast and very soon we will have to play our part.
"I must go now and look for the landing markings with my binoculars to ascertain our landing points. So, my darling, on we go! I know that you are with me. Au revoir, God bless, I love you!"
Captain Bannerman was later captured but survived the war, returning home to his wife and sons in April 1945.
