Meghan Joins The Princes for Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving!

By Mark - April 25, 2018

Meghan joined Prince Harry and Prince William for the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.


William greeted Meghan upon arrival.


On Monday, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a beautiful baby boy at St Mary's Hospital. The Palace said he planned to take a couple of weeks off to spend with the family. However, this morning, William decided he wanted to join Harry and Meghan at the service. I'm sure it's been a joyous and exhausting couple of days. No doubt Uncle Harry and Aunt Meg have met the new arrival.


William and Harry enjoy an incredibly close bond which clearly extends to Kate and Meghan. Harry fondly describes Kate as his "sister" and it's clear William has welcomed his future sister-in-law with open arms. With the arrival of Baby Cambridge and the wedding just three weeks away - it's a very special time at KP.


Inside the Church, William said everyone is "in good form, luckily." He added: "Sleeping is going reasonably well so far, so he's behaving himself, which is good."


The annual service remembers the Gallipoli landings of 25th April 1915, and all Australians and New Zealanders who have given their lives in the service of their countries.


This year marks the 103rd anniversary of the landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25th April 1915. At Gallipoli, Australian and New Zealand forces fought for the first time under a united command as the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, or more famously the ANZACs. 


The Gallipoli campaign exacted a heavy toll on both sides. Some 50,000 Allied troops from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, Newfoundland and India lost their lives. Including those wounded or evacuated for sickness, the total number of Allied casualties number around 250,000. The Turkish forces lost over 86,000 in addition to those wounded.


A video from Victoria Murphy.


Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand. It is commemorated as a public holiday in both countries with memorial ceremonies held at various locations. At 5 am, Harry and Meghan attended the Dawn service at Wellington Arch.


At 11 am, Prince Harry laid a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty at the Wreath Laying and Parade Service at the Cenotaph.


The trio were welcomed inside.


St Andrew's Cathedral Choir from Sydney performed.


An overview from inside the Abbey.


It was a traditional church service, incorporating an 'Act of Remembrance', the Last Post and Kemal Ataturk's words from Anzac Cove read by the Turkish Ambassador to the UK.


Flags are borne through the Abbey church and placed in the Sacrarium.


One of my favourite images of Harry and Meghan from the day.


A peek at the Order of Service.


New Zealand High Commissioner Sir Jerry Mateparae read Micah 4: 1-5: “But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.”


Australian High Commissioner Alexander Downer reads St John 15: 9-17. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”


During his address, the Dean of Westminster spoke of the gallantry and comradeship of the troops.


Turkish Ambassador Abdurraham Bilgic read the words of Ataturk: “There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours...”


A beautifully poignant and reflective service.

“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”

The Royal party depart.


You can view the service below. At the end, there's footage of Meghan meeting representatives.


A touch of sartorial diplomacy by Ms Markle today - opting for a bespoke jacket and skirt by New Zealand born designer Emilia Wickstead. Ms Wickstead is already a firm royal favourite; The Duchess of Cambridge and The Countess of Wessex have worn her pieces on multiple occasions. It's one of the first custom made ensembles Meghan's debuted since the royal engagement. I thought it a perfect choice for the occasion. The pink jacket showcased below bears notable similarities to Meghan's.


The Countess of Wessex blog notes Sophie has the suit in pale blue since 2014 and has worn it for garden parties and Royal Ascot.

Embed from Getty Images

A closer look at the fabric.


Meghan's elegant black hat is a bespoke creation by Philip Treacy. It appears to be a custom version of the Beret with Dragonflies.


Meghan carried the Jimmy Choo J Box clutch.

A closer look at Meghan's black pumps.


Meghan accessorised with her Cartier Galanterie earrings.



And a poppy.


A special word of thanks to Perth Fashion for her outstanding work identifying this look.

Lest we forget.

  • Share:

You Might Also Like

0 comments