Princess of Wales marks ANZAC Day

Saturday, 25th April 2026

Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales attended a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving to mark ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 25th April 2026.

'Remembering what must never be forgotten'

The service was conducted by the Reverend Mark Birch, Canon in Residence, who said in his Bidding:

Early on the morning of 25th April 1915, soldiers of the newly formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli and were plunged into battle. By the end of that first day, they had sustained two thousand casualties, either killed or wounded. War is a hard craft, and the armed services of Australia and New Zealand have had many bitter and brave engagements since that day.

We gather to remember what must never be forgotten. We commemorate and honour those who served at Gallipoli and the long record of distinguished service since then. We are here to remember not simply courage, but common cause. We reflect on the complex history that makes allies or enemies of us. We pray that we will learn history’s lessons.

At the start of the service, the flags of New Zealand, Australia, the Republic of Türkiye, and the United Kingdom were borne through the Abbey Church and placed in the Sacrarium.

HE Mr Hamish Cooper, High Commissioner of New Zealand, read John 15: 8–15; and HE The Honourable Jay Weatherill, High Commissioner of Australia, read Revelation 21: 1–4.

The Very Reverend Joanne Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans, gave the Address.

Act of Remembrance

During the Act of Remembrance, His Excellency Osman Koray Erta, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, recited the words of former President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk inscribed on the memorial at ANZAC Cove in the Dardanelles:

'Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours… You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.'

Wreaths were laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior by the High Commissioners.

Prayers were led by the Reverend Robert Latham, Minor Canon and Precentor, and said by: Jack Fogarty, Octavia Marshall, Marley Chase, Senna Harper, Jacob Rice, and Milly Casson.

The service was sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir, conducted by Paul Greally, Assistant Organist. The organ was played by François Cloete, Organ Scholar.

About ANZAC Day

ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is a national day of remembrance that commemorates the Gallipoli landings of April 1915, the first campaign that led to major casualties among the Australian and New Zealand armed forces during the First World War. Some 50,000 members of the Allied forces lost their lives, and more than 87,000 Turkish troops were killed. The day is also an opportunity to remember all Australians and New Zealanders who have served their countries.