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Australian New Zealand Army Corps, or ANZAC Day, is celebrated
every year on the 25th of April. Although it’s original purpose was
to honour those who had fought at Gallipoli during the First World
War, ANZAC Day is now celebrated to honour all those who have
served in every “war, conflict, and peacekeeping
operation”.
ANZAC Day is also celebrated in England, and is marked by a wreath
laying ceremony at the Cenotaph and services which are held at the
Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner and at Westminster
Abbey. These events are usually attended by the High Commissioners
of Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Royal Family,
representing The Queen.
Although members of the Royal Family have visited Australia
numerous times in the past (Her Majesty alone has visited 17
times!), visits coinciding with ANZAC Day are very rare. Visits to
Canberra on this day are rarer still, making The Duke and Duchess’s
visit a memorable occasion.
The last time such an event occured was 44 years ago when The Queen
and The Duke of Edinburgh were in Canberra as part of their visit
for the bicentenary of the landing of Captain James Cook in Sydney
in 1970. The royal couple laid a wreath of red poppies on the stone
of remembrance before meeting with the massive crowds that had
turned out to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty.
Since then, there have been only two visits to Australia to mark
ANZAC Day, neither of them to the country’s capital. In 1988, The
Queen and Prince Philip attended events in Hobart, including the
dawn service, attended by The Prince. The last royal visit on ANZAC
Day was in 1998, when The Duke of Edinburgh took in the salute at
the annual Parade in Darwin.
Canberra is host to the ceremonial ANZAC Parade, which is
participated in by armed forces personnel and war veterans. This
year holds special significance, as it marks 99 years since the
ANZAC landings. During their visit, William and Catherine will
watch the march and attend a commemorative service at the
Australian War Memorial, before participating in a tree planting at
Memorial Gardens. The tree will grow from the seed of the lone pine
tree taken from the site of the Gallipoli Battle.
The end of the day’s events will also bring the end of the
Cambridge’s Tour of Australia and New Zealand and, after bidding
goodbye to their hosts, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along
with Prince George, will depart for London.
Click here to read more about the history of royal visits to
Australia.
Photo credit: Government House, New Zealand
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