LONDON (AP) — The queen’s joints are creaky and her husband has recently battled serious illness, but the royal couple won’t let aches and pains keep them away from a grand overseas commemoration: the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have for the most part stopped traveling abroad — a reluctant concession to their advanced years — but next week they intend to be in Normandy for ceremonies to honor those who sacrificed their lives to liberate Europe from the Nazi grip.