Prince Charles shared a joke with D-Day veterans from East Yorkshire today when he told them he was "off lunches" because he struggles to fit into his naval uniform.
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INVASION: The Hull Daily Mail's front page on June 6 1944. Click here to download a hi-res version.
Hull in the Second World War | D-Day 1944 front page
The light-hearted moment came as John Ainsworth, 93, Ray Lord, 89, Nick Rumble, 88, and Peter English, 89, tucked into a buffet spread in Bayeux, Normandy, the first French town to be liberated by the Allied invasion force on June 6, 1944. Charles met veterans marking the 70th anniversary of the landings. Mr Lord, who landed on Sword beach with the 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, said: "Prince Charles asked us about D-Day and I told him about the assault. I told him of the many strong points in Sword. "I turned round and offered him some of our leftover pasta. He replied, 'No, thank you. I am off lunches. I can hardly get into my uniform'. We had a bit of a laugh. "He was very nice. He's very down to earth. He's a man you can really talk to." Mr Rumble, from east Hull's Longhill estate, had something in common with Charles because both served in the Royal Navy. The Prince holds the rank of admiral and served on several warships during the 1970s. "Prince Charles asked me for information about the ship I served on," said Mr Rumble, who on D-Day was an 18-year-old gunner on board the Merchant Navy ship the Anthony Enwright.
While there were lighter moments in Bayeux today, a visit to the town's cemetery evoked painful memories for many of the veterans.
"A chap in front of me was sobbing," said Mr Rumble. "I came close too. It was very emotional."
Mr English, from Bridlington, landed on Gold beach on June 7, 1944, with the Royal Artillery.
He said: "When you read the gravestones and see lads aged 18, 19 and 20 have been killed you think to yourself, 'But for the grace of God, go I'.
"The service that was held for those we lost was beautiful.
"This 70-year anniversary is significant. It's a landmark anniversary. Most of the lads are in their 90s now. A lot will not be coming back."
• From D-Day to VE Day with the East Yorkshire regiment
INVASION: The Hull Daily Mail's front page on June 6 1944. Click here to download a hi-res version.