The Queen was joined by two prime ministers for a Remembrance Day memorial in London yesterday.
British premiere Tony Blair was accompanied by Aussie leader John Howard to the Armistice Day event. The two statesmen were present to see Her Majesty unveil a £3-million granite memorial in Hyde Park, paying tribute to the 102,000 Aussies who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
"Twice in the space of a single generation Australia and Britain stood side by side in two of the bloodiest wars in human history," said the Queen. "The struggle was bitter but by sheer resistance and dogged courage the forces of tyranny were defeated, though the cost in human life was immense."
Mr Howard meanwhile spoke of his country's deep cultural links with the United Kingdom. "Whatever the future may hold for our two nations we are tied for all time by our history, our shared language and, most importantly of all, in our enduring belief in human dignity that should be the birthright of all," he said.
The three leaders were joined by a crowd of 3,000, including a group of Australian war veterans, in a two minute silence. The ceremony was then concluded with a fly-past of RAF Jaguar fighter planes.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
