TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend ANZAC Day Service

Monday, 25th April 2022

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend ANZAC Day Service

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving to mark ANZAC Day at Westminster Abbey on Monday 25th April 2022.

About the service

The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who said in his Bidding:

‘The landing of allied forces at Gallipoli one hundred and four years ago today led to one of the bloodier battles of the First World War. New Zealand and Australian forces joined together as ANZAC for the first time. We honour today the bravery and determination of the men at Gallipoli.’

At the start of the service, the flags of New Zealand, Australia, Turkey and the United Kingdom were carried through the Abbey and placed beside the High Altar. The flags were borne by:

  • Flight Lieutenant Percey Behersing, Royal New Zealand Air Force
  • Warrant Officer Two Kayne Falconer, Australian Army
  • Sargent Major Hasan Yoluc, Military Administrative Attache (Turkey)
  • WO2 Tom Jesser BA (United Kingdom)

HE Mr Bede Cory, High Commissioner for New Zealand, read 1 Peter 1: 3–7.

HE The Hon George Brandis QC, High Commissioner for Australia, read Luke 24: 13–21a, 25–35.

The Address was given by the Dean. Listen to the Dean's Address:

His Excellency Ümit Yalçın, Turkish Ambassador, recited the words of former President of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Atatürk inscribed on the memorial at ANZAC Cove in the Dardanelles.

Prayers were led by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor, and said by: Annabelle Bliss, Evan Jenkins, Tutewehiwehi Thompson, Ngāti Hinemihi, Te Whanau-a-Iritekura, Ngāti Tarawhai, Tuhourangi-Ngāti Wahiao, Sarah Wynter, Scarlett Radford, Isabella and Amelia Ferdinand, Harrison Wadsworth and the Venerable David Stanton, Canon in Residence.

 

The Fanfare Trumpeters from the Band of the Prince of Wales were directed by WO2 (BSM) Jason Pickin RCAM.

The National Anthems of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand were sung.

The service was sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir, conducted by James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist, and before the service by Charles Maxtone-Smith, Organ Scholar.

Royal arrival

About ANZAC Day

ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day is a national day of remembrance that commemorates Australians and New Zealanders who served their respective countries.