Prince Bernhard flew as a combat pilot and served as a commander with the Allies during the landings and in the weeks that followed. He also visited Dutch troops. Bernhard was in active service throughout the whole of WW2.

Hereditary Grand Duke Jean served with the Irish Guards and landed on Omaha Beach on June 11, five days after D-Day.He fought in Normandy during the Battle of Caen, helped lead the battle for the liberation of Brussels, and participated in Operation Market Garden. Jean was in active service from 1942 to the war's end in 1945.

Both Bernhard and Jean took part in the various commemorations for D-Day over the years until their respective deaths. Their generation is almost gone now.