Prince Charles has led the British royal family in honouring the service of Australian and New Zealand military personnel on Anzac Day 2022.
Taking to social media with a heartfelt written statement, he and wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall recognised the sacrifices of the troops who served at Gallipoli in 1915.
They also shared two photos from royal visits to Australia; one of the royal couple placing poppies on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial in 2015 and another of them visiting the Mt Roskill War Memorial in New Zealand in 2019.
“On this ANZAC Day, my wife and I are thinking of all the courageous troops who endured so much in 1915 on the beaches and in the rugged hills of the Gallipoli Peninsula,” the future king wrote.
“As we pause to reflect on the sacrifice of the Armed Services personnel of Australia and New Zealand in two World Wars, and in other conflicts and peacekeeping operations, our thoughts will also be with those communities around the world who are being torn apart by violence and conflict, and those who are fighting for freedom in the face of oppression.”
His comment appeared to be a reference to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russia has been running a violent invasion since February.
WATCH: Prince William and Kate Middleton hear firsthand accounts of life in Ukraine. Story continues after video.
Charles and other senior royals, including Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, have been vocal in their support of the Ukrainian people since the violence broke out.
Turning back to the history of Anzac Day, the Prince of Wales continued: “In 1916, one year after the Gallipoli landings, my great-grandfather, King George V, wrote of the first ANZACs, ‘They gave their lives for a supreme cause in gallant comradeship.’
“One hundred and six years later, gallant comradeship remains a defining mark of the uniformed men and women of New Zealand and Australia. Lest we forget.”
The British royals have been honouring Anzac Day for decades, since the reign of Queen Elizabeth’s father King George VI.
The royals have been honouring Anzac Day for decades.
(Image: Getty)Now 70 years into her own reign, the Queen has made sure to pay her respects to the ANZAC soldiers who served at Gallipoli in 1915 with regular tributes from herself or other senior royals through the years.
In 2021, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge honoured the ANZAC legacy with a message that reflected “not only on their sacrifices, but also their courage, sense of duty, and their famously indomitable spirit.”
And back in 1959 the Queen herself said: “Once again my thoughts are with my people in the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand in the commemoration of Anzac Day, a day of glorious memory of all those whose courage and devotion to duty did so much to ensure victory in two World Wars.
“The remembrance of their valour and loyalty is an inspiration to us all.”
