Kate and Harry Attend Anzac Day Service at Westminster Abbey

The Duchess of Cambridge attended the annual Anzac Day service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

With Baby Sussex due any day now, Prince Harry made a last-minute decision to attend. A royal source told the Daily Mail: "The Duke is pleased he can attend today's Service, as planned. With their baby due, his name was not printed in the programme in case he was unable to do so." Harry and Meghan toured Australia and New Zealand last October, it was fitting for the prince to be there today.

Photos of Kate and Harry interacting have always been a joy to see. It was a treat to see them together today, especially for an incredibly important service.

I'm sure Harry is counting down the minutes at this point. I'm reminded of how protective he was of his sister-in-law when she was expecting George. During an interview he said: "I just only hope that she and him - but mainly Catherine - hopefully that she gets the necessary protection to allow her as a mother-to-be to enjoy the privacy that comes with it."

An arrival video.

This year marks the 104th 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.

Anzac Beach in 1915.

The Palace added: "Anzac Day has been commemorated in London since the first anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli in 1916, when King George V attended a service at Westminster Abbey and more than 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets. Since then, Anzac Day has become an important moment to recognise the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who died during the landings, and to honour the sacrifices of men and women in all wars. Anzac Day is commemorated as a public holiday in both countries with memorial ceremonies held at various locations."

Westminster Abbey unearthed a powerful piece of audio featuring Australian Dr Agnes Bennett, who treated the wounded from Gallipoli. Dr Bennett attended the first Anzac Day service in London in 1916. She recalled: "I was privileged to be there and felt that no greater honour could be done to our men. There were few dry eyes. The ANZACs had indeed graduated as citizens of Empire." Click here to listen to the audio.

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.

The royals were greeted by the Dean of Westminster.

The Duke of Gloucester was also in attendance.

He is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Army Education Corps and Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps.

Guests included The High Commissioner for Australia, George Brandis, the Deputy High Commissioner for New Zealand, David Evans, the Turkish Ambassador, Ümit Yalçın, members of the Armed Forces from Australian, New Zealand, Turkey and the United Kingdom, and young citizens of Australia and New Zealand.

The Dean of Westminster gave The Bidding with New Zealand in mind: "The spirit of national pride encourages us, as we bring to mind in particular the recent terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand. We pray for an end to terror and for the triumph of peace."

The flags of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Turkey were presented at the High Altar.

David Evans, Deputy High Commissioner for New Zealand read St John 20: 19-23: 'Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.'

The London Māori Choir sang How Great Thou Art.

Afterwards, Kate met guests and representatives.

A very nice moment captured.

The Duchess departing.

In 2014, the Cambridges marked Anzac Day in Australia on the final day of their tour.

Meanwhile, Prince William marked Anzac Day by laying a wreath of behalf of the Queen at the War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand.

William is spending two days in the country following the Christchurch tragedy. Fifty people lost their lives during two consecutive terrorist shootings at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch. The ages of those killed ranged from 2 to 71. An additional fifty people were injured. William has been meeting with families, victims and first responders, telling them; "you did an incredible job on a very bad day". He has accompanied Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on several events including the Anzac Day service, the PM has shown tremendous leadership.

The Duchess looked regal in a custom teal Catherine Walker coatdress for the service. Laura notes the garment is based on the Amber Coatdress which features "A clever diagonal fastening of dimpled gold buttons adds further interest to this sharp peacock blue coatdress." It's a classic Walker silhouette and very much in keeping with Kate's favoured styles for similar occasions.

The Duchess wore the Rosie Olivia Varick Hat (with thanks to Laura). The almond shaped hat with curled pheasant trim retails for £440. 

The talented milliner studied at Central St Martins in London before completing internships with Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones. There's a special royal connection linked to her success; Rosie received funding to set up her own business from The Prince's Trust, which has been a cornerstone of Charles' work since 1976. 

Kate injected a touch of emerald green into the look with her Emmy London Rebecca pumps and a matching clutch.

And accessorised with her Kiki McDonough Blue Topaz and Diamond Drop Earrings in White Gold. The £3,500 pair are blue topaz oval and cushion cut stones surrounded by diamonds set in 18ct white gold.

The Duchess wore the matching £1400 Kiki Eden Blue Topaz and 18ct White Gold Flower Necklace.

****************

In other news, the Palace has announced upcoming May engagements for the Duchess.

1 May - The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, will officially open the new Centre of Excellence at Rodney Street, London N1, on Wednesday 1st May. Her Royal Highness will also visit Pears Family School in its new building and meet with children and their families participating in a music class.

One week later, Wednesday, 8 May, it's a return to Anglesey.

8 May - William and Kate will firstly visit Caernarfon Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Base. Until 2015, search and rescue operated out of RAF Valley on Anglesey, where the Duke worked as an RAF search and rescue pilot between 2010-2013. Their Royal Highnesses will view the Coastguard’s new Sikorsky S92 helicopters, and meet members of the search and rescue team, many of whom previously worked alongside the Duke at RAF Valley. The Duke and Duchess will then join a discussion with crewmembers about the mental health challenges that result from working as first responders. From Caernarfon, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Anglesey to visit Halen Môn Anglesey Sea Salt, a thriving local business which has been operating for over two decades and which won the Queen’s Award for Sustainability in 2017.

It was a beautifully conducted service as always.