The leaders of America, Britain, Canada and France at the service
They gathered alongside French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for a service among the graves of thousands of US servicemen in Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy.
Mr Obama said the day marks "not only the triumph of freedom, but it also marks how the trans-Atlantic alliance has allowed for extraordinary prosperity and security".
The US President and First Lady Michelle Obama were greeted in Normandy by Mr Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni.
Mr Brown and the Prince of Wales were joined earlier in Bayeux Cathedral by British veterans and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon for a service to pay tribute to those who fought and died on June 6, 1944.
Thousands of Allied troops landed or parachuted on to occupied France on D-Day in an effort to free Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Exact figures for fatalities on the day itself are not available but estimates put the toll at 4,400.
During the service organised by the Royal British Legion, the Prince was the first to lay a wreath which bore the message: "In grateful and everlasting memory - Charles."
Mr Brown, who was accompanied to France by his wife Sarah, also laid a wreath in the cathedral which was followed by a tribute from Mr Fillon.
After the service, the Prince travelled to nearby Bayeux cemetery with the French PM, Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup and new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth.
Among the graves of fallen British soldiers, they attended a moving ceremony held by the Normandy Veterans Association.
Mr Brown was not present because he was hosting a reception for veterans at a hotel in Bayeux.
Prince Charles spent about 30 minutes meeting veterans and cadets who cheered and clapped him as he walked around the cemetery.
Major General Tony Richardson, who served with the 147th Essex Yeomanry on D-Day, said the service had been "absolutely tremendous".
He said: "The Prince of Wales is terrific. He managed to speak to so many people, so many veterans and shook so many hands.
"It's wonderful to see so many veterans here. We are getting a little bit older but we remember everything that happened 65 years ago even if we have difficulty remembering what happened yesterday."
France has been criticised for its Franco-American focus for the 65th anniversary, which some say overshadows the important role played by British and Canadian forces.
The Prince's last-minute visit was hastily arranged following claims the Queen had been snubbed by the French.
6 June 2009
Leaders Mark D-Day Anniversary In France
4:03pm UK, Saturday June 06, 2009
Barack Obama has joined Gordon Brown and Prince Charles at events in France to mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
The leaders of America, Britain, Canada and France at the service
They gathered alongside French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for a service among the graves of thousands of US servicemen in Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy.
Mr Obama said the day marks "not only the triumph of freedom, but it also marks how the trans-Atlantic alliance has allowed for extraordinary prosperity and security".
The US President and First Lady Michelle Obama were greeted in Normandy by Mr Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni.
Mr Brown and the Prince of Wales were joined earlier in Bayeux Cathedral by British veterans and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon for a service to pay tribute to those who fought and died on June 6, 1944.
Thousands of Allied troops landed or parachuted on to occupied France on D-Day in an effort to free Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Exact figures for fatalities on the day itself are not available but estimates put the toll at 4,400.
During the service organised by the Royal British Legion, the Prince was the first to lay a wreath which bore the message: "In grateful and everlasting memory - Charles."
Mr Brown, who was accompanied to France by his wife Sarah, also laid a wreath in the cathedral which was followed by a tribute from Mr Fillon.
After the service, the Prince travelled to nearby Bayeux cemetery with the French PM, Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup and new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth.
Among the graves of fallen British soldiers, they attended a moving ceremony held by the Normandy Veterans Association.
Mr Brown was not present because he was hosting a reception for veterans at a hotel in Bayeux.
Prince Charles spent about 30 minutes meeting veterans and cadets who cheered and clapped him as he walked around the cemetery.
Major General Tony Richardson, who served with the 147th Essex Yeomanry on D-Day, said the service had been "absolutely tremendous".
He said: "The Prince of Wales is terrific. He managed to speak to so many people, so many veterans and shook so many hands.
"It's wonderful to see so many veterans here. We are getting a little bit older but we remember everything that happened 65 years ago even if we have difficulty remembering what happened yesterday."
France has been criticised for its Franco-American focus for the 65th anniversary, which some say overshadows the important role played by British and Canadian forces.
The Prince's last-minute visit was hastily arranged following claims the Queen had been snubbed by the French.
The leaders of America, Britain, Canada and France at the service
They gathered alongside French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for a service among the graves of thousands of US servicemen in Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy.
Mr Obama said the day marks "not only the triumph of freedom, but it also marks how the trans-Atlantic alliance has allowed for extraordinary prosperity and security".
The US President and First Lady Michelle Obama were greeted in Normandy by Mr Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni.
Mr Brown and the Prince of Wales were joined earlier in Bayeux Cathedral by British veterans and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon for a service to pay tribute to those who fought and died on June 6, 1944.
Thousands of Allied troops landed or parachuted on to occupied France on D-Day in an effort to free Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Exact figures for fatalities on the day itself are not available but estimates put the toll at 4,400.
During the service organised by the Royal British Legion, the Prince was the first to lay a wreath which bore the message: "In grateful and everlasting memory - Charles."
Mr Brown, who was accompanied to France by his wife Sarah, also laid a wreath in the cathedral which was followed by a tribute from Mr Fillon.
After the service, the Prince travelled to nearby Bayeux cemetery with the French PM, Chief of Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup and new Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth.
Among the graves of fallen British soldiers, they attended a moving ceremony held by the Normandy Veterans Association.
Mr Brown was not present because he was hosting a reception for veterans at a hotel in Bayeux.
Prince Charles spent about 30 minutes meeting veterans and cadets who cheered and clapped him as he walked around the cemetery.
Major General Tony Richardson, who served with the 147th Essex Yeomanry on D-Day, said the service had been "absolutely tremendous".
He said: "The Prince of Wales is terrific. He managed to speak to so many people, so many veterans and shook so many hands.
"It's wonderful to see so many veterans here. We are getting a little bit older but we remember everything that happened 65 years ago even if we have difficulty remembering what happened yesterday."
France has been criticised for its Franco-American focus for the 65th anniversary, which some say overshadows the important role played by British and Canadian forces.
The Prince's last-minute visit was hastily arranged following claims the Queen had been snubbed by the French.
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