Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Royal mark Anzac Day in London and Gallipoli

The Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal have taken part in Anzac Day commemorations in London and Gallipoli, paying tribute to the sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War and beyond.

Anzac Day is held every year on 25 April to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) who served and died in all conflicts.

The date marks the anniversary of the 1915 landings at Gallipoli, when Allied troops - including large contingents from Australia and New Zealand - launched an ultimately unsuccessful campaign against Ottoman forces in Turkey.

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In London, the Duchess joined Australians, New Zealanders and members of the Armed Forces for a dawn service at the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner.

She later laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and attended a service of commemoration and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

Meanwhile in northwest Turkey, the Princess Royal attended a dawn service at Anzac Cove before joining ceremonies at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair.

The commemorations were held on the former battlefield where more than 100,000 troops died in the 1915 campaign.

Anzac Day has been marked in the capital since 1916, when King George V attended the first anniversary service at Westminster Abbey following the Gallipoli landings.

Princess Anne laid wreaths for the fallen of several nations, including the UK, Ireland, France, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand. 

She quoted Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, reflecting on the long-standing peace between former adversaries saying: "There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours.

"You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this island, they have become our sons as well."

Princess Anne described words such as these as having "paved the way for ferocious battles that took place on this land to be replaced by long-lasting friendships and strong alliances that we must take forward to the future".