Meghan close to tears on Anzac Day
Royals lay wreaths for victims of Gallipoli fight
ROYALS: Meghan Markle appeared close to tears as she joined Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge at the traditional services to mark Anzac Day as thousands gathered at dawn in London.
THE ENORMITY of what had happened 103 years ago has lost none of its power to overwhelm the senses, and yesterday Meghan Markle appeared close to tears as she joined Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge at the traditional services to mark Anzac Day.
It was in April 1915 that the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps attempted to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. But it was a bloody and hopeless campaign that lasted eight months and ended in stalemate. By then, 8,141 Australian soldiers had been lost.
It had been a plan masterminded, as First Lord of the Admiralty, by Winston Churchill, and its failure would haunt him.
Yesterday, as thousands gathered at dawn around the New Zealand war memorial in London and sang a hymn to those who were lost, Miss Markle was visibly upset.
Later at Westminster Abbey, she and her fiance heard the Dean pay tribute to the victims and encourage today’s generation to renew their “commitment to the causes of justice and peace throughout the world”.
It was the culmination of a day of events to honour Australia and New Zealand’s fallen from the First World War and subsequent conflicts, that had begun with a laying of wreaths.
Harry left a floral tribute at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on behalf of the Queen, having laid wreaths at the New Zealand memorial and Australian memorial.
At the Abbey, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, told the congregation: “The landing of allied forces at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915 led to one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.
“Australian and New Zealand forces joined together for the first time, and a new word entered the language: Anzac.
“Remembering that so many died, we honour the bravery and determination of the men at Gallipoli. The memory of what became known as The Great War is with us as a warning and an encouragement.
“We are warned that war involves suffering and death; we are encouraged by the spirit of national pride shown by the soldiers we remember this Anzac Day.
“As the Union Flag and the flags of Australia and New Zealand are presented at the High Altar with the flag of Turkey in a sign of the reconciliation of old enemies, let us renew our own commitment to the causes of justice and peace throughout the world.”
The Duke of Cambridge, who is taking a few weeks off official Royal duties after the arrival of his son on Monday, joined Harry and Meghan for the Abbey service, and told a line-up on arrival that the family were “very well”. Miss Markle, who is not yet a member of the Royal Family, has attended a large number of official events in the run-up to her wedding on May 19. She wore a dark outfit to the Abbey, finished off with a small hat.
Earlier, the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson also laid a wreath. He said: “On Anzac Day, we remember the sacrifice and courage of troops from Australia and New Zealand.
“Almost a century has passed since the end of the First World War and Britain is proud to have served side-by-side with them in many conflicts over the last 100 years.
“Our alliance is one of the most constant and enduring military partnerships in history, one which will continue to protect our shared values and commit to make the world a safer, more secure place.”
Mr Williamson met his counterparts from Australia and New Zealand earlier this year to discuss combating evolving threats.
Our alliance is one of the most constant and enduring military partnerships. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.