Prince William, the Prince of Wales, participated in a dawn service in London’s Hyde Park on Anzac Day, Tuesday, April 25th, 2023. The remembrance service was attended by a delegation from Australia and New Zealand’s high commissions, and Prince William laid a red poppy wreath with white flowers in the shape of a crown, or the Prince of Wales motif. The wreath had a note attached to it by a ribbon that read, “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”
The former Royal Air Force pilot, who had a poppy pinned to his coat above his military medals, bowed his head in a minute of silence. Australian High Commissioner Stephen Smith and his New Zealand counterpart Phil Goff also laid wreaths during the service, which included readings, national anthems, and the Last Post. Prince William signed the book of remembrance while a didgeridoo played and a Māori waiata (song) was performed by London-based Ngāti Rānana.
Smith reflected on the values and virtues of character and diversity, stating, “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.” There was also a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London, led by the Duke of Gloucester, followed by a Service of Commemoration at Westminster Abbey.