Prince William kicks off New Zealand trip commemorating Anzac Day | Life

25 Apr 2019

New Zealand — Britain's Prince William arrived in New Zealand on Thursday for a two-day visit to commemorate wartime soldiers and visit survivors of last month's mosque attacks.

The Duke of Cambridge attended an Anzac Day service in Auckland on Thursday morning alongside New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. During the service, William laid a wreath on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

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.#AnzacDay #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/Yjs0ZjLuiF
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 25, 2019

Anzac Day is a national holiday — similar to Memorial Day in the U.S. — marking the anniversary of New Zealand and Australian soldiers, known as Anzacs, landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. More than 10 000 soldiers from the two countries were killed during that WWI campaign in what's now Turkey.

On #AnzacDay The Duke of Cambridge attended the Civic Service at @AucklandMuseum in New Zealand, as we remember the servicemen and women of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who have served their nation in times of war. #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/84uwXxgYq1
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 25, 2019

Thereafter, William met Wasseim Alsati and his 4-year-old daughter who was injured in the Christchurch attacks. The young girl woke from a coma earlier this week after suffering critical injuries and is recovering at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland.

The Duke of Cambridge meets four year old Alen Alsati and her father Wasseim, who are recovering in Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland after being injured in the Christchurch mosques terrorist attack. pic.twitter.com/0djRWr2iuj
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 25, 2019

The Duke of Cambridge meets four year old Alen Alsati, who is recovering in Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland after being injured in the Christchurch mosques terrorist attack.

Alen woke from a coma earlier this week after suffering critical injuries in the attack. pic.twitter.com/ei3uLDR47h
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 25, 2019

William is scheduled to fly to Christchurch on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, he will visit the two mosques where a gunman killed 50 people on 15 March.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.

Join News24 today