Comment Central: 6 world-altering anniversaries this fortnight

The Prince of Wales yesterday stepped in to defuse the diplomatic wrangling over the D-Day commemorations when he accepted a French invitation to attend the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Clarence House said that the Prince would go to France at the weekend to represent the Queen at the international ceremony with President Obama and President Sarkozy.

The Queen, meanwhile, is expected to attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday. She is a regular at the classic, missing it once in 2004 for the 60th anniversary of D-Day, which she attended with the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince. One of her horses, Free Agent, was a possible runner this year, but was ruled out after losing the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood last month.

The change in the Prince’s plans — unusual at such a late stage — came five days after Buckingham Palace said that no member of the Royal Family would be attending because none had been invited.

The failure to invite the Queen was seen by some as a snub, although it was viewed by others more as the result of the Government’s initial decision to play down the significance of the 65th anniversary.

The invitation, which came yesterday via the French Ambassador in London, followed days of communication between the Prince and the Queen in which he suggested he go on her behalf. The decision came hours after the White House said that it was lobbying to get the Queen an invitation. However, Clarence House sources said that they were unaware of any American lobbying.

“We had invited the British, it was up to them to sort out who represented them,” said one source at the Elysée Palace.

The Royal British Legion welcomed the U-turn, saying that it was “absolutely delighted”. A spokeswoman added: “This day is about the veterans and as many people that can be there to show their thanks the better. The veterans are such heroes.”

But Eddie Slater, 85, national chairman of the Normandy Veterans’ Association, said that the decision had come too late. “It’s been turned into a circus,” he said.

Mr Slater, from Colchester, Essex, who was on a frigate at Sword Beach on D-Day, added: “It’s totally unfair that this decision has been made at this time. If we had been told months ago we would have rejoiced but it’s poor judgment on somebody’s part.

“This has been made into a political matter. It’s not a pilgrimage now. All the focus will be on the politicians, not the veterans. It’s too late.”

Neither Gordon Brown nor Mr Sarkozy has come out of the affair with their reputations unsullied. David Cameron accused Mr Brown of being slow off the mark in planning the anniversary, while commentators in France suggested that Mr Sarkozy was primarily interested in hosting the visit of Mr Obama. Officials in Paris blamed the British Government for deciding who should attend what they described as “primarily a FrancoAmerican ceremony”.

The Prince will attend the main commemoration with Mr Obama and Mr Brown. He may also attend other events in Normandy, but no details have been released so far. It is not yet known whether the Prince will be accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall.

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