THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER WILL ATTEND ANZAC DAY SERVICES
London
Tuesday 25th April 2023
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Gloucester will attend services commemorating Anzac Day in London on Tuesday 25th April.
Organised by the Australian High Commission in conjunction with the New Zealand High Commission, the Prince of Wales will attend the Dawn Service at the Australia Memorial at Hyde Park Corner.
The Duke of Gloucester will attend the wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph followed by the service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.
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. Since then, the services have become an important moment to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who have lost their lives in conflict and recognise all those who have served. Anzac Day is commemorated as a public holiday in both Australia and New Zealand, with memorial ceremonies held at various locations.
The Dawn Service at Wellington Arch will include readings, the Last Post, a moment of silence, reveille and national anthems. During the service wreaths will be laid by the Prince of Wales and the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners. The service will conclude with the Prince signing the book of remembrance while music is played on a Didgeridoo. A Māori waiata (song) will also be performed by London-based Ngāti Rānana.
Later in the morning at the wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph, the Duke of Gloucester will lay a wreath and then attend the service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. This will be a traditional church service, incorporating an address from the Dean of Westminster and readings from the New Zealand and Australian High Commissioners.
