Show your passports, a listless Biden, Sunak's exit: What made D-Day commemorations awkward
US President Joe Biden; a UK paratrooper asked for identity documents in France; UK PM Rishi Sunak
In June 1944, over four years after the fall of Paris to Hitler'sforces in the second world war, the US, UK and other alliedforces entered Normandy to oust the Nazi forces.The Normandy landings emerged as one of the most significant eventsin the second world war that concluded with the liberation of French territory and fall of Nazism in Europe.
Also watch |D-Day Anniversary: The invasion of the beaches at Normandy | Gravitas Recall
Eighty years later, as the present-day leaders of the 'liberators' of Normandy came together to commemorate the 'D-Day', the event became the focus of fiascos, gaffes and controversies.Here's what unfolded during D-Day commemorations in Normandy.
Joe Biden: The lost of the presidents?
Joe Biden, joined by 25 heads of states at a D-Day commemoration event on Omaha Beach in Normandy, stressed on sacrifices made in the name of democracy and freedom during the second world war.
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But the speech notwithstanding, one aspect that grabbed the netizens' attention on social media was an "embarrassing" moment as Biden appeared to be completely lost for a moment. The former president was seen fumbling and later on, he was spotted with eyes closed which users on the internet interpreted as US president dozing off.
British forces face 'Passport please' moment
About 400 British paratroopers, who dropped into Normandy for commemoration event, were asked for passport and related paperwork. While immigration checks for British troops abroad are routine, they aren't asked for it during apublic commemoration event.
Besides, the US and Belgian troopsinvolved in the drop were not checked. The US forces flew from France and had already completed their border formalities, The Guardian reported. No check was required for the Belgians as European Union citizens.
Rishi Sunak's exit for a TV interview
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended D-Day commemoration event and then left for London to reportedly appear in a TV interview. Ascriticism mounted, Sunak was forced to issue an apology.
"After the conclusion of the British event in Normandy, I returned back to the UK," Sunak, who is struggling to win support from voters before the July 4 election, said in a post on X.
"On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer – and I apologise."