Queen Livid at French Snub for Obama D-Day Fete

Invitation extended after Elizabeth grouses

(NEWSER) - France has finally relented and extended an invitation to a miffed Queen Elizabeth to D-Day ceremonies next week with President Obama, reports the Daily Mail. A French official said earlier this week the queen would not be included in the 65th anniversary commemoration in Normandy because it was very much a "Franco-American occasion." Yesterday, an Elysées Palace spokesman said the queen would be "welcome." The anniversary will mark the last major gathering of British survivors of the battle to liberate France. More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama today paid homage to the men who stormed the beach at Normandy on the 65th anniversary of D-Day, reports the Los Angeles Times. Speaking at Omaha Beach, Obama called the invasion the "story of America" and said it can provide inspiration "for the hardships and struggles of our time." More»

(AP) - Barack Obama and his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, stood together today on thwarting Iran's nuclear ambitions and furthering a Mideast peace that provides for separate Israeli and Palestinian states. "We want peace. We want dialogue. We want to help them develop. But we do not want military nuclear weapons to spread," said Sarkozy of Iran, adding that he worries about "insane statements" from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. More»

(NEWSER) - All of Paris is breathlessly awaiting the arrival of Michelle Obama, hoping to catch a glimpse of an American first lady as beloved by the French as Jackie Kennedy, reports AP. Like Jackie, "Mrs. Obama is exactly the kind of American woman the French adore: a woman who never lost her femininity, who's smart and dynamic and fabulous in her own right," said a Paris fashion critic. More»

Sarkozy invites prince to commemoration after snub uproar

(NEWSER) - Prince Charles will attend the 65th commemoration of D-Day in France, celebrating the occasion alongside Nicolas Sarkozy and Barack Obama, the Times of London reports. Earlier, it appeared that no member of the royal family would be invited, a snub that left Queen Elizabeth decidedly unamused. Sources say Charles, a friend of Sarkozy’s, called the French president, and soon received an official invite. More»