Queen to attend D-Day ceremonies

LONDON — The queen’s joints are creaky and her husband has recently battled serious illness, but the royal couple won’t let aches and pains keep them away from a grand overseas commemoration: the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have for the most part stopped traveling abroad but next week they intend to be in Normandy for ceremonies to honor those who sacrificed their lives to liberate Europe from the Nazi grip.

The perils of World War II directly shaped the lives of Elizabeth, 88, and Philip, 92. The anniversary is so heartfelt that the royal couple are preparing to cross the English Channel once more, this time on a train through the Channel Tunnel that Elizabeth helped inaugurate 20 years ago.

Historian Antony Beevor, a renowned chronicler of World War II, said Elizabeth and Philip want to show their solidarity with the dwindling number of living veterans, including those still strong enough to attend the events next week. They will bring younger royals as well, including Prince Charles, heir to the throne, and Prince William, second in line.

“I think it will mean a huge amount to the veterans,” Beevor said.

The queen was a teenager during the war. As a princess, she contributed by joining the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she served as a driver and mechanic. Philip was on active duty in the Royal Navy.