Buckingham Palace has released Queen Camilla’s message to mark the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk.

The palace shared the message on social media handles with caption, “A message from The Queen marking the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo at Dunkirk, in honour of the civilian contribution to the war effort.”

The Queen’s message reads, “Today and together with the nation, The King and I would like to remember the heroic and unprecedented civilian war effort of Operation Dynamo on its 85th Anniversary.

“Over nine days, an eclectic collection of seafarers, ferry masters, barge hands, fishermen, and children, with their Little Ships, achieved the great evacuation of more than 338,000 troops who were fighting with their backs to the sea at Dunkirk.”

Queen Camilla further said, “My father, who was amongst their number and safely transported home 85 years ago today, recalled wading out to a cement ship to find refuge and rest in its wheel-house.”

“He noted in his memoirs that ‘The ship was commanded by a midshipman who looked about twelve, assisted by a boatswain aged eighty’”, Camilla continued.

“I know that my father, together with his comrades of the British Expeditionary Force and the allied armies that were fortunate enough to find safe passage, would today be grateful beyond words for this lifeline,” she concluded.