The Princess of Wales led the Anzac Day commemorations by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in a solemn ceremony. Kate participated in the annual event in Central London, which honors the 1915 Gallipoli landing of Australian and New Zealand troops during World War I. This day is dedicated to remembering the sacrifices of individuals from Australia and New Zealand who perished in war.
Attending the ceremony alone, without Prince William, the Princess wore a navy coat adorned with a poppy and a hat. She placed a wreath of poppies at the national war memorial and bowed her head in tribute. Following this ceremony, she proceeded to Westminster Abbey to join a service of remembrance and gratitude with veterans and dignitaries.
Kate’s involvement followed Princess Anne’s attendance at a dawn service at Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner to mark Anzac Day. The Princess Royal arrived before the 5am service and laid a wreath at Wellington Arch. The service included a reading of the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae and concluded with the national anthems of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. Similar services were held in New Zealand, Australia, and Gallipoli on that morning.
The day was also observed in Villers-Bretonneux, a village in the Somme region of France, where Australian units played a crucial role in defending during World War I. Anzac Day, observed on April 25, commemorates the Gallipoli landings that marked the beginning of the First World War. The campaign, initiated by Allied forces to control the Dardanelles straits and access to the Black Sea and Russia, faced challenges and ultimately led to a withdrawal after eight months.
The Anzac spirit, characterized by attributes such as courage, endurance, initiative, discipline, and comradeship, continues to be celebrated as a legacy of the campaign.