Prince Charles and Gordon Brown Remember D-day in France

Prince Charles and Gordon Brown joined the US president, Barack Obama, and his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, in Normandy today to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-day landings in the second world war.

They gathered at a remembrance service amid the graves of thousands of US servicemen in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Brown put aside the political turmoil of a chaotic cabinet reshuffle and spate of resignations to represent Britain's role in ensuring 6 June 1944 became the greatest military victory in history.

France has been heavily criticized for its Franco-American focus of the 65th anniversary, overshadowing the important role played by British and Canadian forces.

The prince's last-minute visit was hastily arranged following claims that the Queen had been snubbed by the French.

The Union flag was notably absent from the ceremonial ground, which was dominated by the flags of France and the US. But standard bearers carried the allies' flags, which included the Union flag.

Thousands of war graves were decorated with both a French and US flag, with the symbol of the two nations also flying at full mast above the ceremony.

A documentary about the invasion shown to the thousands of guests before the ceremony adopted a distinctly US slant, focusing on American casualties and memorials, and the US struggle to advance the front line. Little mention was made of the British servicemen and military chiefs who played key roles and lost their lives in the campaign.

Brown and the prince had earlier attended a remembrance service at Bayeux cathedral. They smiled and chatted after taking their seats.

During the service Brown seemed agitated, constantly fidgeting in his seat. He was accompanied to the event, which was organised by the Royal British Legion, by his wife, Sarah.

Bob Ainsworth, who was appointed defence secretary yesterday after the resignation of John Hutton, joined the service which Hutton had been due to attend.

Chief of the defence staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, and the French prime minister, François Fillon, were at the service, which saw the 13th century Norman Gothic church filled with Normandy veterans, service personnel and sea, army and air cadets.

The prince was the first to lay a wreath. The circle of poppies with white carnations forming a fleur-de-lys – the prince's emblem – bore the message: "In grateful and everlasting memory – Charles".

Brown laid a wreath in the cathedral, which was followed by a floral tribute from Fillon.

The service was accompanied by music from The Band of the King's Division.

Afterwards the prince, Ainsworth, Sir Jock and Fillon traveled to nearby Bayeux cemetery where the Normandy Veterans Association held a service among the graves of British soldiers who gave their lives during the campaign to free Europe from Nazi occupation.

Brown was not able to attend as he was hosting a reception for veterans at a hotel in Bayeux.

Hundreds of Normandy veterans paraded into the cemetery to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the troops who landed in northern France from 6 June 1944 onwards.

Thousands of family, friends and well wishers from Britain, France and other European countries applauded as the men marched in the sunshine.

Children from St Joseph's school, in Hendon, north London, greeted the veterans with signs saying, "The Young Do Care" and "Thank you".

The day, which began with cloudy skies, was so warm by the time the service began that one standard bearer fainted and had to be carried away for medical treatment.

After the service, the prince spent about 30 minutes meeting veterans and cadets who cheered and clapped him as he walked around the cemetery.