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On April 25, two senior royals paid their respects in London for Anzac Day, each at separate commemorations that honored soldiers from Australia and New Zealand. The Princess Royal attended the predawn service, while the Princess of Wales took part in midday ceremonies at the Cenotaph and Westminster Abbey.
Royal presence at Anzac Day: separate but solemn
Princess Anne and Princess Kate arrived at different venues to observe the day. Their appearances came the same week as a high-profile trip by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Australia.
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Both women represented the monarchy in London as communities remembered the 1915 Gallipoli landings and the wider sacrifices of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
Princess Anne at the Dawn Service at Wellington Arch
Princess Anne attended the Dawn Service at Wellington Arch near Hyde Park Corner. The early-morning observance followed a long-standing Anzac tradition.
- Music and ceremonial bugle calls framed the service.
- Participants observed a period of silence and then the reveille.
- Wreaths were placed to mark the end of the ceremony.
Anne’s attendance underscored her reputation for commitment to duty. She is often noted for a high volume of engagements across the royal schedule.
Princess Kate at the Cenotaph and Westminster Abbey
The Princess of Wales joined the Wreath Laying and Parade at the Cenotaph in central London. She laid a wreath on behalf of her father-in-law, the King.
After the Cenotaph, she moved to Westminster Abbey for a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving. The Abbey service echoed themes of remembrance and connection to Australia and New Zealand.
Elements of the Westminster Abbey service
- An address by the Dean of Westminster.
- Readings delivered by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners.
- Prayers offered by children from each country.
- A Māori waiata performed by Ngāti Rānana, a Māori cultural group in London.
The program blended military ritual with cultural tribute, reflecting both mourning and gratitude.
Why Anzac Day matters: Gallipoli and remembrance
Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. It serves as a day to honor servicemen and women from Australia and New Zealand who fought in conflicts around the world.
The holiday is a public observance in both countries. Ceremonies like the Dawn Service and wreath-laying are central to how communities commemorate the fallen.
Context: the Sussex visit to Australia earlier this month
The royal appearances in London came shortly after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Australia. Their trip included public and private stops across the country.
- Prince Harry visited the Australian War Memorial and attended a Last Post Ceremony.
- He wore his military medals and laid a wreath at the memorial.
- The Sussexes’ trip was an independent visit following their 2020 decision to step back from senior royal duties.
That visit renewed public attention on Anzac commemorations and the role of royal representation abroad and at home.
Tradition, duty and public memory
Members of the royal family frequently attend national commemorations tied to Commonwealth countries. Those appearances aim to maintain links between the monarchy and nations with shared history.
Anzac Day ceremonies combine ritual, music and reflection, and the presence of senior royals helps amplify those messages for a broad audience.
