Princess of Wales travels to Westminster Abbey after making history at the Cenotaph

Dorothy Reddin
Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:07:15 +0000

The Princess of Wales has travelled to Westminster Abbey for a service of thanksgiving after making history at the Cenotaph.

Catherine is attending the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving to mark Anzac Day, honouring fallen Australian and New Zealand service personnel.

The service of thanksgiving, which is a traditional church service, follows Catherine's earlier engagement at the Cenotaph.

She attended the Wreath Laying Ceremony and Parade at the Cenotaph for the first time as a working royal.

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She wore a poppy for the occasion and laid a wreath on behalf of the King.

The service was organised by the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions.

At today's church service, the Princess of Wales will hear an address from the Dean of Westminster, readings from the New Zealand and Australian High Commissioners, prayers read by children of each country, and a Māori waiata (song) performed by London-based Ngāti Rānana.

The mother-of-three is wearing a bespoke Alexander McQueen coat, accompanied by the late Princess Diana's sapphire earrings.

Catherine is also wearing an £8,400 Tanzanite and diamond pendant necklace from G. Collins and Sons, which she first wore in 2015.

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of Australian and New Zealand troops landing at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War One.

It has been observed in London since King George V attended a service at Westminster Abbey in 1916.

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The Princess of Wales’s appearance comes hours after the Princess Royal led tributes at the capital’s dawn service, continuing the Royal Family’s long-standing role in commemorating those who served.

Anne wrapped up warm in a long dark green coat to attend the Dawn Service at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner.

At the service, which lasted about 45 minutes, the Princess Royal listened to various readings.

The service also included the Last Post, silence, reveille and national anthems.

Before leaving, Princess Anne laid a wreath and signed a book of remembrance.

A post on the Royal Family X account on Saturday morning read: “Today is #ANZACDay – which honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.”