The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Harry and William join up for Anzac Day service
Call to renew ‘commitment to the causes of justice’
The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle joined a traditional Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey in which people were encouraged to renew their “commitment to the causes of justice and peace”.
The Dean of Westminster paid tribute to the thousands of soldiers from Australia and New Zealand who died in the First World War and later conflicts.
Harry and fiancee Ms Markle joined the congregation for a service of commemoration and thanksgiving, a few hours after they attended a dawn service in London where Meghan looked emotional as a hymn was sung by thousands gathered at the New Zealand war memorial.
William, who is taking a few weeks off official royal duties after his son was born on Monday, joined the couple for the abbey service. Anzac Day – April 25 –marks the anniversary of the start of the First World War’s Gallipoli landings, and is a national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand.
The Westminster Abbey service was the culmination of a day of events honouring Australia and New Zealand’s fallen.
Harry left a floral tribute at the Cenotaph on behalf of the Queen, after laying wreaths at the New Zealand memorial and Australian memorial.
The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, told the congregation: “The landing of allied forces at Gallipoli on April 25 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 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.”
Thousands of troops died in the campaign. Allied forces launched an attack on the Turkish peninsula, which was key to controlling the Dardanelles straits, the crucial route to the Black Sea and Russia.
But the plan was flawed and the campaign, which faced a heroic defence by the Turks, led to stalemate and withdrawal eight months later.