Today, the Princess of Wales graced the annual Anzac Day parade with a beaming smile, honoring the bravery of Australian and New Zealand servicemen. Her presence added a touch of warmth to the commemoration.
Anzac Day, observed each year on April 25, is a tribute to the anniversary of the 1915 dawn landing of Allied Forces on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. This day serves as a solemn remembrance for all Australians and New Zealanders who have perished in conflicts.
Princess Kate participated in the wreath-laying ceremony and the parade at the Cenotaph in Westminster earlier today. She was accompanied by Hamish Cooper, the High Commissioner for New Zealand, as they both paid their respects.
Following the parade, the Duchess attended a service at Westminster Abbey. The event drew an audience of veterans, members of the Royal family, and politicians, including Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, all gathered to honor the fallen.
In a heartfelt gesture after the service, Kate shared a moment with two young boys and their mother, who is currently serving. She warmly shook their hands and engaged them in conversation, adding a personal touch to the day’s commemorations.
In a touching moment after the service, Kate greeted two young boys and their serving mother, shaking their hands and chatting to them.
The service in London this year was also attended by Princess Anne, who laid a wreath at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, at 5am on Saturday morning.
The event also heard a reading of John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields and performances by members of the Ngati Ranana Maori Club London.
Kate was spotted speaking to two boys after she left the service of commemoration at Westminster Abbey
Princess Kate looked radiant as she led the congregation at Westminster Abbey this afternoon
The Princess knelt and shook the smiling little boy’s hand
Princess Kate attended the wreath laying and parade service at the Cenotaph as part of Anzac Day commemorations on Saturday
The Princess of Wales wore a tailored navy and white collared dress paired with sapphire jewellery
Kate laid a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate Australian and New Zealand servicemen
The wreath laid by Kate had a personal inscription from the Princess, reading: ‘In memory of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom’
Kate smiled as she arrived at Westminster this afternoon for the annual service
Pictured: Turkish Ambassador to the UK Koray Ertas leading service members during wreath laying and parade service
Crowds gathered to pay their respects in central London on Saturday morning
Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Priti Patel attended the service at Westminster Abbey
Pictured: High Commissioner for Australia, Jay Weatherill, lay a wreath during the service on Saturday afternoon
Kate paid her respects alongside the High Commissioner for New Zealand Hamish Cooper (pictured left)
Kate pictured at the Westminster Abbey Service
The Royal Family posted on X: ‘Today is #ANZACDay – which honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.’
Anzac Day has been observed in London since King George V attended the first service at Westminster Abbey in 1916 to mark the anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.
Anzac Day ceremonies were held in cities across Australia, the nation which Harry and Meghan visited on a whistlestop tour this month.
The pair’s four-day trip, beginning on April 14 and ending on Wednesday, included an appearance by Meghan on Australia’s Masterchef programme and a £1,700-per-person VIP ‘meet and greet’ in Sydney.
Meghan spent approximately two hours with women as part of a ‘Her Best Life Retreat’, which cost some $3,200 a ticket.
The Duchess of Sussex promoted her outfits worn during the trip on the platform OneOff, a company she also invests in.
She put the details of her wardrobe online following a deal with the AI-powered fashion website.
On the first day of the trip, during a visit to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, Meghan wore a $1,250 (£922) ‘Priscilla’ dress from local designer Karen Gee, with $780 (£575) ‘Puffy Hearts’ stud earrings by Real Fine Studio and $120 (£88) ‘Iridescent’ Christian Dior leather pumps. All three were promoted on OneOff with links.
Prince Harry laid a wreath while attending the Australian War Memorial on April 15 during a four-day tour to the country with Meghan
Meghan visited a children’s hospital and made a guest appearance on an episode of Australia’s Masterchef
Harry and Meghan’s trip to Australia was met with criticism by some over its purpose and costs
Prince Harry meanwhile visited Canberra during the trip to attend the Australian War Memorial, where he met Indigenous veterans, went to an Invictus Australia reception and participated in the daily Last Post Ceremony.
The Last Post Ceremony is held daily at 4.30pm at the War Memorial to remember those on the Honour Roll.
It includes the national anthem, a piper’s lament, a soldier’s story, and the Last Post bugle call.
Prince Harry attended the ceremony and then toured some exhibitions inside, which detail Australia’s war history and those who sacrificed for their country.
The prince, who served in the British Army for ten years and completed two tours in Afghanistan, wore his service medals during the visit.
