Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, surprised royal watchers as she made a somewhat surprise appearance at the Anzac Day Service with her husband, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, on April 25. The Duchess was not initially scheduled to attend, but it was announced the morning of the service that she would be joining her husband. 

The Anzac Service commemorates the services and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, who’s “formed part of the allied expedition that set out (on April 25, 1915) to capture the Gallipoli peninsula.” This expedition met with fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Both sides were embroiled in the conflict for eight months and endured heavy casualties. 

To remember these events and the sacrifices made, there are several key events that are held in London and in Australia and New Zealand. 

The day begins with a commemorative service that happens at dawn, when the landing originally took place. This year, the Queen was represented by the Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, who is Her Majesty’s cousin. 

Later in the morning, wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph, which is where the Remembrance Services are held every November 11. This year, Prince William represented the Queen at the ceremony and was given the honor of laying a wreath on behalf of the Queen.

Services are then held at Westminster Abbey, where the High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand addressed the congregation and two children representing each country read a prayer.

In 2019, Prince Harry and Catherine attended the event together. It’s become a somewhat infamous event in royal circles as Prince Harry looked overjoyed to be attending the event with his sister-in-law. 

Needless to say, it didn’t last.

Just three years later, Harry and Meghan are on the outs with the royal family and Meghan very publicly claimed that Catherine bullied her during a bridesmaid fitting.

For the 2022 ceremonies, Catherine looked smart and appropriate in her white (or perhaps off white) Alexander McQueen coat dress that she first debuted at Princess Charlotte’s christening and has worn a couple of times since. She paired it with a white Jane Taylor London hat with what black accents. Her shoes were her trusty Gianvito Rossi pumps and a Jenny Peckham clutch.