Princess Anne honors fallen soldiers at Gallipoli ceremony

On April 25, 2025, a solemn ceremony took place near the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the World War I battle that witnessed significant loss of life among Australian and New Zealand soldiers. The dawn service attracted dignitaries, including Britain's Princess Anne, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and Australia's Governor-General, who gathered to pay their respects. The ceremony unfolded at Anzac Cove, the site where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps first landed at dawn on April 25, 1915. The commemoration began with a traditional Māori lament, followed by prayers and the laying of wreaths to honor the fallen soldiers. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke poignantly about the human cost of war and emphasized the necessity of preventing future conflicts. He noted that while some troops may have sought adventure, they were met instead with the grim realities of battle. Princess Anne, who serves as the president of the Commonwealth Graves Commission, reflected on the letters written by soldiers during the conflict, paying tribute to all soldiers involved and recognizing the heavy toll the campaign took on countless lives. The Gallipoli campaign aimed to secure a strategic naval route and was part of a broader British effort against the Ottoman Empire, but it ultimately resulted in a disastrous loss for Allied forces. The gathering is not only significant for Australia and New Zealand but also holds a vital place in Turkey's national history, as Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who later founded modern Turkey, gained prominence as a commander during this battle. The commemoration concluded with a message from Ataturk emphasizing peace and solace for the mothers who lost their sons during the conflict, reflecting on the shared grief felt by nations involved in the war.