Princess Anne Attends Anzac Day Dawn Service

Princess Anne attended a dawn service at Wellington Arch in Hyde Park Corner to commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, laying a wreath in honor of Australian and New Zealand troops who have served in conflicts worldwide.

The Princess Royal arrived shortly before 5 a.m. for the event, organized by the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions. Dressed in an emerald green tailored coat, a structured hat, black gloves and a red poppy on her lapel, Anne placed a wreath of vibrant poppies against the arch. The solemn gathering included a reading of the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae and concluded with the national anthems of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Members of the public, military personnel and dignitaries joined in quiet reflection under the soft morning light.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the 1915 landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops on the beaches of Gallipoli in northwest Turkey during the First World War. The campaign, which resulted in heavy losses, has become a symbol of courage, endurance and camaraderie. Over time, the observance has expanded to remember all service members from the two nations who died or served in...