The Prince of Wales named a church bell after a Jewish-born philosopher and Shoah victim, at a landmark D-Day commemoration service in France today.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were joined by international leaders – from US President Barack Obama to UK Prime Minister David Cameron – at the 70th anniversary service for the Second World War landings.

Prince Charles went on to formally name a bell at the Bayeux Cathedral after German philosopher Therese-Benedicte de la Croix.

The new Therese-Benedicte bell, which was rung, was said to represent peace and freedom. Queen Elizabeth was named the bell’s “godmother”, and nine allies were named its junior godfathers and mothers.

Therese-Benedicte de la Croix, born Edith Stein, was arrested by Nazi officers in 1942 and died in Auschwitz.

The German philosopher, who took the veil as a nun, was canonised by Pope John Paul II.