If I am recalling my history correctly (it has been a while) not only did the Queen serve during the war, her family played an enormous role in getting the people through the war.
The Tory leader is quoted as saying he did not realize the importance of the 65th anniversary. BS!!! It was planned for PM’s and Presidents, not royalty.
He said the Queen was welcome if she wanted to come. Sure, go to Normandy and feel like the third wheel, knowing you were not wanted in the first place..
They didn’t retreat to the countryside or Scotland, but stayed at Buck House during the Blitz and were seen out and about after the bombings to encourage the Londoners and Union, and the Queen was a auto mechanic during the war for the Army. I’d say She was the FIRST person who should have been on the illustrous podium, none of the others (speakers)were trenched in first person experience of the war.
These huge memorial ceremonies have only happened before in the decade years after D-Day, specifically 1984, 1994 and 2004. President Eisenhour wasn't interested in 1954. Johnson was busy in 1964, as was Nixon in 1974.
Except for the fact that there will be very few WWII men left in 2014, this whole thing was probably orchestrated by Obama. If he wanted something to conteract his apology tour, he didn't do a very good job of it.