The Duke And Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Falmouth© Getty

Prince William gets early morning wake-up call for poignant service

The Prince of Wales attended a dawn service

Online Digital News Director
April 25, 2023

Prince William has a busy family household with three young children to get to school.

But he set his alarm for an altogether different reason on Tuesday as he marked a poignant and important annual event.

© Samir Hussein

Prince William prepares to lay a wreath at Dawn Service for Anzac Day 2023 at Hyde Park

The Prince of Wales commemorated Australia and New Zealand's war dead in a dawn service marking Anzac Day.

Hundreds of Australians, New Zealanders, and military personnel watched as William laid a wreath of red poppies and white flowers at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner.

© Samir Hussein

The Prince bowed his head during a moment of reflection

The message on the Prince's wreath read: "In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."

DON'T MISS:  Prince George set for starring wedding role after King Charles's coronation?

ROYALS:  Queen Camilla: New upset for King Charles's wife ahead of coronation

He wore a red poppy during the service and bowed briefly to the wreath before standing in silent tribute for a few moments.

© Mark Cuthbert

William laid a wreath in honour of Australia and New Zealand's war dead

High Commissioner for Australia Stephen Smith and his New Zealand counterpart Phil Goff also laid wreaths during the moving service, and digeridoo music was played as well as The Last Post.

DISCOVER:  How Princess Kate broke tradition with new photos of Prince Louis

WATCH:  Meghan Markle stuns in tiny pink shorts on flirty date night with Prince Harry

Anzac Day, 25 April, marks the anniversary of the start of the First World War Gallipoli landings, and is a national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand.

© Samir Hussein

A close-up of Prince William's wreath at 2023 Anzac Service

Thousands of Anzac troops, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, died alongside British allies in the ill-fated 1915 campaign. 

Anzac Day has taken place every year since 1916 and now also stands for all soldiers of those nations involved in military conflict. The commemorative service is held at dawn, the time of the original landing in Gallipoli.

During the service, Mr Smith also marked the contributions of First Nations people, indigenous Australians and Maori.

© Mark Cuthbert

Hundreds of Australians, New Zealanders, and military personnel attended the service

He said: “We now take the opportunity on Anzac day to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who made a contribution not just in Gallipoli, but throughout those conflicts.

“The day of commemoration has also grown to acknowledge not just the contribution made by those millions of men and women, but also to reflect upon the values and virtues of character of diversity.

“We have grown throughout that period of time, and now come to reflect the values and virtues and characteristics of both Australia and New Zealand.”

Sign up to HELLO! Daily for all the latest and best royal coverage

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Royalty

See more