Prince William paid tribute to fallen soldiers who made the ‘ultimate sacrifice’ as he laid a wreath at Australia’s Anzac Day memorial.
The 40-year-old Prince of Wales attended a memorial service at Hyde Park Corner early this morning.
The father-of-three looked pensive as he joined representatives of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces for the harrowing service at 5am.
About 8,700 Australians died during the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign, where 75,000 Anzac troops fought in dangerous conditions for eight months, in a battle that defined Australia’s national identity.
Anzac Day has been commemorated in London since the first anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli, when King George V attended a service at Westminster Abbey.
Prince William pictured holding the wreath he had laid at the Australia Memorial in London’s Hyde Park Corner
Since then, the services have become an important moment for thousands of expats and visiting New Zealanders and Australians.
As part of the proceedings, Prince William laid a memorial wreath at Australia’s war memorial in Hyde Park.
He then affixed a handwritten message to the wreath to pay a personal tribute to the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who died fighting in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915-1916.
The royal wrote: “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”
After laying the wreath, Prince William bowed his head and took a moment of silence to remember the fallen.
By the end of the First World War, over 215,500 Australian soldiers had been killed in combat. Meanwhile, the New Zealand forces also lost over 58,500 men.
Last night, King Charles and Camilla also celebrated Anzac Day with a Twitter post.
Their statement read: ‘This Anzac Day we pay tribute to all the men and women in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.’
The royal father-of-three imagined writing a personal message to attach to his wreath during morning service
William’s personal message read: “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”
The wreath was covered in red poppies in tribute to the soldiers and had a red ribbon across the front
Prince William pictured laying the wreath for the memorial service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon
After laying the wreath, Prince William bowed his head and took a moment of silence to remember the fallen soldiers
Later today, the Prince of Wales will attend the annual Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey.
The traditional church service at the Abbey includes a speech by the Dean of Westminster, readings from the High Commissioners of New Zealand and Australia, prayers read by children from each country, and a performance by the Maori waiata.
In Australia, events have been held in major cities, suburban centers and rural towns to honor men and women who served in past conflicts and those serving now.
At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led tributes on the 108th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during the First World War.
“Each Anzac Day, from the grandest monument to the simplest cenotaph, we honor all who have served in our name, and all who serve today,” he said.
“It’s a collective act of remembrance, reflection and gratitude – performed by multiple generations of Australians and committed to multiple generations.”
Prince William was accompanied this morning by representatives of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces
Prince William looked pensive as he listened to the memorial service at Hyde Park Corner this morning
The Prince of Wales laid a memorial wreath at the Australia War Memorial in Hyde Park today
Prince William’s appearance came as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were first pictured together at a Lakers game in LA after it was announced that the Duchess of Sussex would not be attending next month’s coronation.
Last year, Prince William laid a wreath for the Anzac Day ceremony on behalf of the Queen, who was unable to attend due to ill health.
Prince William’s early morning appearance came as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were pictured together for the first time since the announcement that Meghan will not be attending the coronation next month.
Last night, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took their Archewell staff to watch the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies in game four of the NBA playoffs.
The royal couple, who won’t be attending the coronation together next month, were all smiles in a box at the Crypto.com Arena, where they appeared on the jumbotron at the stadium in downtown LA.
Thousands began clapping and cheering, encouraging them to kiss. Harry then appeared to lean in for a hug, but his wife laughed and grabbed his arm instead of bowing to the crowd. Harry then made a comical grimace.