Prince of Wales to attend D-Day commemorations
The Obamas and the Queen earlier this year
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Tuesday, 02, Jun 2009 06:56
The Prince of Wales is to attend commemorations marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day in France this weekend, it has been announced.
The decision comes after a diplomatic struggle which initially saw no member of the British Royal Family invited to the events hosted by French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
A statement released by Clarence House this afternoon confirmed Prince Charles' attendance, claiming the official invite had come from Mr Sarkozy.
The apparent U-turn is thought to have been made after the intervention of US president Barack Obama.
There had been criticism of the decision to initially not invite the Queen or any member of her family, but the Obama administration stepped in, with White House press secretary Robert Gibbs claiming: "We are working with those involved to see that it happens."
Mr Obama and Mr Sarkozy will lead the remembrance services on Saturday, with Gordon Brown also joining hundreds of British veterans.
Buckingham Palace has previously said the Queen was satisfied with the arrangement that involved her not attending.