The Princess of Wales, Catherine, will join the Princess Royal, Anne, in leading the Royal Family's commemoration of Anzac Day in London on Saturday, 25 April. Buckingham Palace confirmed the senior royals will attend several services across the city to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who have served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
The day of remembrance will begin with Princess Anne, 75, attending the traditional Dawn Service at Wellington Arch in Hyde Park Corner. Later in the day, the Princess of Wales, 44, will attend the wreath-laying ceremony and parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall. It is expected that Princess Kate will lay a wreath on behalf of King Charles at the solemn event.
Following the parade, she will proceed to the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. This marks a return for the Princess to the Anzac Day services, which she last attended with her husband, the Prince of Wales, in 2022. Her attendance signals a continued return to public duties following her cancer treatment in 2024. The Princess announced in January of this year that she is in remission.
A sacred day of remembrance
Anzac Day is one of the most significant national occasions for both Australia and New Zealand. The date, 25 April, marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. the landing at Gallipoli in 1915. The soldiers who fought on the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula became known as the Anzacs, and the qualities of courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice they demonstrated have become enshrined in the national identity of both countries.
While originally a day to honour those who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, its meaning has since broadened to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in military operations. Commemorations are held across both nations, as well as internationally in places where service members are buried or have fought. Locally, Auckland will honour Anzac Day with services across the region.
The Dawn Service is a particularly poignant tradition, with services timed to coincide with the pre-dawn landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula. These quiet, reflective services have become an integral part of Anzac Day, allowing for solemn remembrance before the larger parades and services later in the day.
London's official commemorations
London, as the capital of the United Kingdom and a hub for many expatriate Kiwis and Australians, has long hosted significant Anzac Day events. Princess Anne's attendance at the Dawn Service continues a long tradition of royal participation in this early-morning tribute.
Following the service at Wellington Arch, attention will turn to the Cenotaph, the United Kingdom's primary national war memorial. The wreath-laying ceremony and parade are a public display of remembrance, honouring the deep historical ties between the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey provides a formal conclusion to the day's events.
The Abbey service has been a fixture since 1916, when King George V attended the first commemoration to mark the Gallipoli anniversary. This year's service will feature readings from the New Zealand and Australian High Commissioners, prayers read by children from each country, and a traditional Māori waiata performed as an act of remembrance. Shared history and close ties are also recognised at events like the San Diego 2029 Invictus Games bid, which celebrate the healing power of sport for wounded service members from across the Commonwealth and allied nations.
A consistent royal presence
The British Royal Family's consistent attendance at Anzac Day services underscores the connection between the monarchy and the Commonwealth realms of Australia and New Zealand. As Head of the Commonwealth, King Charles and his family continue a tradition of paying tribute to the sacrifices of Anzac service members.
In recent years, various senior royals have undertaken the duty. Prince William attended the Dawn Service in 2023, while in 2022, he accompanied Princess Kate to the Abbey service. In 2021, Princess Anne represented the family at Westminster Abbey after the public event was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the commemoration was led by Princess Anne and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and in 2024 it was Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, who attended.
The continuous high-level representation at these events demonstrates the enduring importance of the Anzac legacy within the UK and the Royal Family's role in honouring the shared history and sacrifice that binds the nations together. For more on life in our community, see our 2026 neighbourhood guide for residents of Arch Hill.
The commemorations on 25 April will serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring bond forged in conflict and the ongoing respect for those who have served their countries. The presence of two of the most senior members of the Royal Family ensures this tribute continues with the gravity and recognition it deserves.
