ANZAC Day commemorations in London began in the early hours of Saturday morning, with our chair, the Very Revd Dean Jo Kelly-Moore joining The Princess Royal at the Dawn Service at Wellington Arch at 4.45am, marking the moment of remembrance traditionally observed at first light.
Later that day, Dean Jo delivered the Address at a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, continuing the city’s formal observance of ANZAC Day.
The service, attended by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, brought together representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Türkiye and the United Kingdom to honour the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand forces, past and present.
ANZAC Day marks the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, a campaign that resulted in heavy casualties and left a lasting legacy of remembrance.
At the beginning of the Abbey service, the national flags of New Zealand, Australia, the Republic of Türkiye and the United Kingdom were carried through the Abbey and placed in the Sacrarium. Readings were given by the High Commissioners of New Zealand and Australia, and the Act of Remembrance included words spoken by His Excellency Osman Koray Erta, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, quoting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s message of reconciliation and shared humanity.
Wreaths were laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners, with prayers led by Westminster Abbey clergy. Music was provided by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir.
Together, the dawn service and the Abbey commemoration marked ANZAC Day as a powerful act of shared remembrance, bringing nations and communities together in reflection, gratitude and a renewed commitment to peace.
