London service led by royalty

Led by the Prince of Wales, about 1000 people attended the Anzac Day dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in London, including the High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand, and the First Sea Lord.

CAPTION: Attending the 2023 Anzac Day Dawn Service at Wellington Arch, London – from left, Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord; Phil Goff, New Zealand High Commissioner; The Prince of Wales; Stephen Smith, Australian High Commissioner; Brigadier Grant Mason, Head of Australian Defence Staff London. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson. Photo by Peter Livingstone Photography, Peter Livingstone.

Head of the Australian Defence Staff in the United Kingdom, Brigadier Grant Mason, said the service was a moving one.

“No matter where in the world we are, it’s important that we pause on April 25 and acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of our current and former service men and women,” Brigadier Mason said.

“It’s also important to remember all those others, including our diplomats and allies, who have served alongside us.”

Wreaths were laid by the Prince of Wales and the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners.

The service concluded with the Prince signing the book of remembrance while the digeridoo played across Hyde Park Corner.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held later in the morning at the Cenotaph, attended by the Duke of Gloucester, the UK’s Foreign Minister James Cleverly and Defence Minister Ben Wallace.

Former Leading Aircraftman Robin Atherton, who served in the Royal Australian Air Force in the 1960s, attended the Cenotaph service.

“It was lovely seeing so many people turn out and line Whitehall – it means so much to all of us,” Leading Aircraftman Atherton said.

A thanksgiving service was later held at Westminster Abbey.

Anzac Day has been observed in London since King George V attended the first service at Westminster Abbey in 1916 to mark the anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.

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