Eighty-boat flotilla sails down Cornish river where thousands of troops departed 80 years ago to take part in D-Day invasion

A fleet of 80 boats sailed off the coast of Cornwall today where some 27,000 troops left eight decades ago to take part in the D-Day landings.

The fleet of ships traveled the River Fal, Falmouth, where Allied troops were stationed during 1943 and part of 1944.

The fleet, which consisted of local boat owners, started in the area close to Tolverne and Turnaware Bar at 3pm.

The fleet continued along the Carrick Roads – the great deep water separating Falmouth from the Roseland Peninsula – between Black Rock and Pendennis Point before reaching Gyllyngvase Beach.

Local Richard Wilcox told the Falmouth package: ‘What a memorable day it was. Falmouth was proud of itself.

A fleet of 80 boats sails off the coast of Falmouth, Cornwall

The fleet of ships traveled down the River Fal, Falmouth, where Allied forces were stationed throughout 1943 and part of 1944.

The fleet – made up of local boat owners – started in the area close to Tolverne and Turnaware Bar at 3pm.

The fleet continued along the Carrick Roads – the great deep water that separates Falmouth from the Roseland Peninsula.

It passed between Black Rock and Pendennis Point before closing Gyllyngvase Beach

A mix of small vessels take part in the 80-ship fleet parade off the coast of Falmouth, Cornwall

“All those years ago this area played a crucial role, with troops stationed at Treverne, Turnaware Point and other locations along the river, and so we wanted to mark the occasion with an event like this.

‘Thank you to everyone who took part and helped organize with us.’

The D-Day commemoration events in Falmouth started with a wreath laying ceremony in Kimberley Park.

At 1 p.m., two wreaths were laid: one by the mayor of Falmouth and one by a military representative.

This was followed by the fleet and the events concluded with the lighting of a beacon in celebration of the ‘light of peace’ emerging from the darkness of war.

The commemorations in Falmouth come as world leaders and veterans gathered in Normandy, France, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Prince William stood in for his father to thank veterans for their fight for freedom as he represented Britain today.

People watch as a flotilla of 80 boats, one for each year since the D-Day landings, sail off the coast of Falmouth

A fleet of 80 boats, one for each year since the D-Day landings, sails off the coast of Falmouth

The D-Day commemoration events in Falmouth started with a wreath laying ceremony in Kimberley Park

At 1 p.m. two wreaths were laid: one by the mayor of Falmouth and one by a military representative

The commemorations in Falmouth come as world leaders and veterans gathered in Normandy, France, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Boats travel down the River Fal in Falmouth, Cornwall

Each boat represented a year since the D-Day landings in 1944

An aerial view of the fleet on the river in Falmouth

A fleet of 80 boats, one for each year since the D-Day landings, sails off the coast of Falmouth, Cornwall

A spectator watches the fleet around the Pendennis headland during the 80-ship fleet parade off the coast of Falmouth

The fleet takes part in the 80-ship fleet parade off the coast of Falmouth during commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day

The fleet rounds the Pendennis headland during the 80 ship fleet parade off the coast of Falmouth

A mix of small craft take part in the 80-ship fleet parade at Falmouth during commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D-Day

An aerial view of the boats sailing around the Pendennis headland

The commemorations in Falmouth come as world leaders and veterans gathered in Normandy, France, to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings

The 41-year-old replaced his father King Charles at the big event on Omaha Beach as His Majesty continues his recovery following treatment for cancer earlier this year.

The monarch attended the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer earlier in the day, paying tribute to the “remarkable wartime generation” who risked their lives to end the Nazi occupation of Europe.

However, he and Queen Camilla have decided not to attend the international commemoration ceremony in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, 20 miles away, giving his eldest son and heir apparent William the chance to shine.

Charles led a crowd of 2,000 people, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron, in a moving silent prayer to remember those who are no longer with us, while also remembering those who were on the beaches 80 years ago read aloud.

The veterans in attendance received white roses from French schoolchildren, while cadets waved flags, and received several standing ovations during the two-hour service, before shaking hands and exchanging words with His Majesty.

Photos also show William greeting Zelensky as they attended the ceremony on Omaha Beach earlier today.