French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also joined Queen Elizabeth at the national commemorative ceremony.
Addressing the thousands of members of the public who stood at the Portsmouth Naval Museum to watch the hour-long service, Queen Elizabeth stood beside her son and future king of England, Prince Charles, as she paid tribute to the resilience of her generation.
“When I attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings, some thought it might be the last such event,” she said.
“But the wartime generation – my generation – is resilient, and I am delighted to be with you in Portsmouth today.
“Seventy-five years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom.
“In a broadcast to the nation at that time, my father, King George VI, said: ‘… what is demanded from us all is something more than courage and endurance; we need a revival of spirit, a new unconquerable resolve …’
“That is exactly what those brave men brought to the battle, as the fate of the world depended on their success," Her Majest the Queen contiuned.
“Many of them would never return and the heroism, courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives will never be forgotten.
“It is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country – indeed the whole free world – that I say to you all, thank you.”