Following The King’s message to mark Anzac Day, The Duchess of Edinburgh marked the annual day in London, to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
has been marked in London since George V attended a service at Westminster Abbey in 1916, marking the one year anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli. More than 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets on the day.
On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey. These men became known as Anzacs. They landed on Gallipoli and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman defenders, who were controlling the Dardanelles straits, the crucial route to the Black Sea and Russia.
However, the plan which was backed by Winston Churchill, then first lord of the admiralty, was flawed and the campaign led to a stalemate and withdrawal eight months later. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed.
The Duchess began the Anzac Day commemorations by attending the Dawn Service at the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner. Sophie laid a wreath of white flowers at the memorial, which had a handwritten message of tribute written on Bagshot Park paper: ‘In memory of all those who gave their lives’.
HRH was joined by Australians, New Zealanders and military personnel who paid their respects in the early morning. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Sam Mostyn were among the guests. The Dawn Service included readings, the Last Post, a moment of silence, reveille and national anthems.
The Duchess later attended the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.
Sophie also attended the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Cenotaph and laid a wreath.
