Full Breakdown
British Royal Family Leads ANZAC Day Commemorations in London
4/26/2026, 10:07:15 PM
Royal Family Leads ANZAC Day Commemorations in London
On 25 April 2024, the Princess of Wales, Catherine, and the Princess Royal, Anne, attended separate ANZAC Day ceremonies in London. Catherine placed a wreath at the Whitehall memorial and later joined the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. Anne took part in the Dawn Service at Wellington Arch, where she also laid a wreath. Both events featured the playing of the Last Post, a minute of silence, and the national anthems of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. After the Abbey service, Catherine met with military families.
Historical Background of ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the 1915 Gallipoli landings, a British-led campaign aimed at opening a naval route through the Dardanelles. More than 100,000 troops died in the operation, which continued into 1916. The day is a public holiday in Australia and New Zealand, the two Commonwealth realms where King Charles III is head of state, and it honours all members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who have served and died in wars, conflicts and peace-keeping missions.
Key Figures and Their Roles
- Catherine, Princess of Wales – laid a wreath at Whitehall, co-signed a tribute note with Prince William, and attended the Westminster Abbey service.
- Prince William – co-signed the tribute note.
- Princess Anne – led the Dawn Service at Wellington Arch and laid a wreath.
- Hamish Cooper (NZ) and Jay Weatherill (Australia) – high commissioners who laid wreaths.
- Dean of Westminster – gave the address at the Abbey.
- Ngati Ranana – Maori group that performed a waiata.
- Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex – visited Australia in April, attending Australian War Memorial and a Last Post ceremony.
Official Statements and Responses
Catherine and Prince William signed a note paying tribute to the fallen soldiers. The Royal Family’s X post noted that ANZAC Day honours the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps members who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations. The Abbey service featured readings by the New Zealand and Australian high commissioners, prayers by children, and a Maori waiata by Ngati Ranana.
Why It Matters
The royal family’s participation underscores the United Kingdom’s historic ties with Commonwealth partners. By attending the ceremonies, senior royals reaffirm shared remembrance of military sacrifice and maintain a visible link between the British Crown and the ANZAC nations, especially after Prince Harry and Meghan’s recent independent visit to Australia.
