To kick off commemorations for Anzac Day in Britain, Prince Harry attended the dawn wreath laying service at the Wellington Arch monument, before attending a service at Westminster Abbey.
Prince Harry attended a poignant ANZAC Day service at Hyde Park Corner. (MOD/Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC)
Anzac Day honours Australian and New Zealand troops that fought in the First World War at the Gallipoli, but has also been extended to other citizens of these countries who have fought. Gallipoli was the ill-fated battle in which allied forces landed at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli to attempt to take the Dardanelles in WWI.
Thousands of people waited at early hours today to see Prince Harry today at Hyde Park for the dawn service that paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives. Today marked the 100th year that Anzac Day has been commemorated in London since 1916.
The Dawn Service at Hyde Park on ANZAC Day. Prince Harry attended. (MOD/Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC)
During the ceremony Prince Harry was seen wearing his medals Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals, as well as his tour of duty medal for Afghanistan, and his Knight Commander medal around his neck; this was awarded by The Queen late last year.
The former Army captain looked solemn as he paid respect to the troops, alongside New Zealand and Australian high commissioners and other dignitaries, who also laid a wreath after Harry.
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Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer spoke to the crowd saying: “When we reflect on Anzac Day we imagine the Gallipoli landings, what it must have been like, at dawn on the water, in sight of that rugged shoreline – and a collectively held breath, a leaden silence about to be broken.”
“‘We consider the enthusiasm, the courage, and the heroism of the Anzac troops – ordinary men fighting for God, King and empire, for their mates, for adventure, for a world without war.”
Members of veterans’ associations, service and ex-service personal and their families took part in the parade at the Cenotaph, where the Prince also laid another wreath.
Later in the day, on behalf of The Queen, Harry laid a wreath of poppies at Westminster Abbey
Harry later attended a parade at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, where he also laid a wreath in memory of the Australian and New Zealand lives lost.
Anzac commemorations have been held around the world as New Zealand and Australia paid tribute to those who serve and died at War.
Malcolm Turnbull, the current Prime Minister of Australia, was at a service in Camberra and addressed citizens: “You have kept us safe. One hundred years ago today, Australians at home and abroad, along the far-flung battle line, gathered for the first time to remember the landing at Anzac Cove on April 25, 1915.
“Shocking as the losses of the Anzacs and their British and French comrades were, we remember too the immense sacrifice of the Turkish people, defending their country.”
