Anzac Day 2021

The Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal marked Anzac Day on April 25th, commemorating all Australians and New Zealanders killed in war and honouring returned servicemen and women. Anzac Day has been commemorated in London since the first anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli in 1916, when King George V attended a service at Westminster Abbey and more than 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets, becoming an important moment to recognise the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who died at Gallipoli in the First World War and during the D-Day landings during the Second World War, and to honour the sacrifices of men and women in all wars. Anzac Day is commemorated as a public holiday in both countries with memorial ceremonies held at various locations.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, attended two commemorative services in London on behalf of the Royal Family. In the early hours of the morning, the Princess and the Vice Admiral attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Wellington Arch, where the Princess laid a wreath at both the Australian and New Zealand War Memorials, and signed a book of remembrance. The Princess Royal and Sir Tim then attended the Anzac Day service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

Ahead of the weekend’s commemorative events, the Duke of Cambridge sent a message to mark Anzac Day to the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions in London. The message, accompanied by some Anzac biscuits, was received by the Deputy High Commissioners to the UK at both High Commissions on Friday morning.

This Anzac Day, Catherine and I join Australians and New Zealanders across the world to remember and honour the service men and women of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

Today we stand together to reflect not only on their sacrifices, but also their courage, sense of duty, and their famously indomitable spirit.

Though many will still be unable to come together in person this year, we are heartened in the knowledge that Australians and New Zealanders will continue to commemorate those who have given so much for our freedoms.

The ANZAC qualities of endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship are admired as fiercely as ever before.

‘Lest we forget.’

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