The Princess of Wales made a solo appearance on Saturday to mark Anzac Day, an important time to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who have lost their lives in conflict and to recognise all those who have served.
Kate, wearing a navy coat dress, looked sombre and pensive as she arrived at the Cenotaph in central London to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony and parade. She was not joined by other members of the royal family, although Princess Anne had attended the dawn service at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner in the early hours of the morning.
After she laid her wreath on behalf of her father-in-law King Charles, Kate walked to Westminster Abbey, where she also attended the service of commemoration and thanksgiving.
Anzac Day has been observed in London since King George V attended the first service at Westminster Abbey in 1916 to mark the anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli. Since then, it has become a time to honour Australians and New Zealanders who have died in conflict. Anzac Day is commemorated as a public holiday in both Australia and New Zealand, with memorial ceremonies held at various locations.
Earlier on Saturday, the royal family's official Instagram account shared a poignant message that 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."
See photos from this year's Anzac Day commemorations below…
© Getty ImagesThe Princess of Wales joined High Commissioner for New Zealand, Hamish Cooper, on Saturday morning for the wreath-laying and parade service.
© Getty ImagesDuring the service, Kate was pictured singing the hymn O God Our Help in Ages Past.
© Getty ImagesA closer look at the Princess' elegant tailored outfit, which she paired with a red remembrance poppy.
© Getty ImagesKate joined the one-minute silence.
© AFP via Getty ImagesKate laid a wreath on behalf of her father-in-law, the King.
© AFP via Getty ImagesThe note on the wreath, personally signed by William and Kate, read: "In memory of the New Zealand and Australian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaThe royal paid tribute to the fallen heroes.
© Getty ImagesThe Cenotaph is one of the most famous war memorials in the capital.
During the ceremony, a Royal Marines Portsmouth Road Band trumpeter played the last post and Reverend Dr Lyndon Drake recited from The Fallen by English poet Laurence Binyon: "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."
© Getty ImagesAfter the wreath-laying ceremony, Kate joined the parade as crowds watched on.
© Getty ImagesScores of people had stopped to take photos and witness the commemorations.
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceKensington Palace shared this photo of the Princess during the parade.
© Getty ImagesThe Princess was then driven to Westminster Abbey, where she entered alongside Reverend Mark Birch.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThe mother-of-three was all smiles as she arrived for the thanksgiving service.
© Getty Images
The traditional church service incorporated 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.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesWhile Kate attended the service in London, events were also held across New Zealand, Australia and on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey on Saturday morning.
The day was also marked in Villers-Bretonneux, a village in the Somme region of France, which Australian units helped defend during the First World War.
© Getty ImagesThe royal smiled and waved at crowds after leaving the hour-long service.
