Royals help commemorate Anzac Day in the UK

Australians have gathered in their thousands around the country, and the world, today to mark Anzac Day and pay tribute to Australia's veteran community at ceremonies and events.

However, Sydney's Anzac Day Dawn Service at Martin Place was interrupted by loud booing.

There was also booing in Melbourne at the Shrine of Remembrance for the second successive year during the Welcome to Country.

The interruption in Sydney came when the Acknowledgement of Country was being delivered by Uncle Ray Minniecon, whose grandfather served with the Light Horse Brigade.

A small group of men were responsible for the booing and police quickly moved in.

Minniecon continued with the Welcome To Country and was met with applause when he finished.

Minniecon later said those who booed "should show respect to us as Traditional Owners".

A moving moment from the Martin Place Dawn Service.

The RSL described the behaviour in Sydney and Melbourne as "loutish".

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the actions of the small group had left him "disappointed".

"Anzac Day should always be treated with the respect, solemnity and reverence it deserves," said Minns.

"Whilst I've never before heard booing like that at a dawn service, I've also never heard a crowd spontaneously applaud as they did for Uncle Ray Minniecon. That act made it clear what the views of the vast majority attending were. This is a day to honour sacrifice."

Veterans reflect at Parramatta in Sydney.

Brigadier Vincent Williams, who is the acting president of RSL NSW, said he was appalled by the boos.

"Such behaviour is disrespectful and entirely at odds with the sanctity and solemnity that should define this occasion," said Williams in a statement.

"Anzac Day is the most sacred date on our national calendar. It is a time for quiet reflection, unity and respect - to honour the service and sacrifice of all who have served our nation. It is particularly disappointing because Uncle Ray, who delivered the Acknowledgement of Country, is himself a veteran who has served Australia with pride.

"However, it was heartening to see the many thousands gathered in Martin Place respond to the unacceptable behaviour of a few with a spontaneous and respectful show of support, affording Uncle Ray a rousing round of applause. That response reflected the true spirit of Anzac Day – one of unity, respect and shared recognition of service.

"There is no place for such disruption or disrespect on Anzac Day. Australians rightly expect to come together in the spirit of unity, to honour service with the respect it deserves."

A man was arrested and charged by NSW Police for an alleged act of nuisance.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday June 3.

Police will allege in court the man booed while at the Cenotaph site.

"Apart from a small handful of people, those who attended the dawn service and march were well behaved and respectful," Operation Commander Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan said.

The attendance at Martin Place was up on last year, with 11,000 attending, compared to last year's figure of 4000.

It was followed later by the traditional parade, with thousands lining the streets.

Melbourne's event was attended by 55,000, with 10,000 lining the streets for the parade.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the booing in Melbourne, saying: "To break the stillness of Dawn Service is not just ugly behaviour towards our Aboriginal servicemen and women who defended this country, it disrespects everyone who fought and died for our freedoms.

"Politicising this sacred day is bastardry. I condemn it and so should every leader."

Uncle Mark Brown conducts the Welcome to Country during Saturday's dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance.

Services elsewhere around the country have also been taking place this morning, including on the Gold Coast, where accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith attended.

Roberts-Smith, who is currently on bail and has denied all charges, arrived at about 4.30am wearing a suit, and sat near the back.

Yesterday he released a statement and said: "Anzac Day is sacred to me and every other veteran. I will be attending to pay my respects and I encourage everyone else to."

Ben Roberts-Smith attended the Currumbin Gold Coast service.

RSL STATEMENT

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has condemned loutish behaviour that has disrupted Anzac Day commemorations in several States.

RSL Australia National President, Peter Tinley AM said the booing during the Welcome to Country at services was grossly disrespectful to our First Nations' people, particularly to those who served, to all veterans and the Australian community.

"Anzac Day is for Australians to commemorate all those who have served and sacrificed in defence of our nation, and many First Nations' peoples also served and continue to serve," Peter Tinley said.

"It is the most sacred day on our national calendar, a time for quiet reflection, unity and respect in honour the service and sacrifice of all who have served in our Defence Forces.

"While the overwhelming majority of those who attend Anzac Day services do so with great dignity and respect, a very small number of ill-informed people choose to exhibit loutish and disruptive behaviour."

"The Acknowledgement or Welcome to Country is a key part of Anzac Day commemorations and recognises Australia's history as well as the First Nations' people who have served.

"While disruptions are drowned out by the positive response of the vast majority of attendees, this loutish behaviour is strongly condemned.

"While the RSL has encouraged all Australians to commemorate Anzac Day, those who show disrespect do not belong at our nation's solemn ceremonies."

Overseas commemorations

Australians overseas gathered in their thousands to commemorate the Anzacs, particularly in Gallipoli, Villers-Bretonneux, London and Port Moresby.

A poignant service was held on the shores where thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought in the First World War.

The Anzac Day Gallipoli Dawn Service was held at the Anzac Cove in Türkiye, with Aussies and Kiwis lining the shores overnight ahead of the service.

More than 75,000 Australians and New Zealanders served at Gallipoli between April 25 and December 20, 1915. More than 10,000 of them died.

Dawn Service at Gallipoli for Anzac Day 2026

Another crucial theatre of war for Australians was Papua New Guinea, where a dawn service was held today.

Australians pushed back Japanese forces advancing overland towards the capital, Port Moresby, in 1942.

Around 625 Australians were killed and more than 1600 injured during the Kokoda campaign.

Australia's newly appointed female army chief addressed thousands of people at an Anzac Day service in Villers-Bretonneux, France.

Lieutenant General Susan Coyle honoured soldiers who fought and died on the Western Front.

Hundreds of Australians made the journey to honour soldiers who fought and died their, commemorating their sacrifice at a packed Dawn Service.

In London, Princess Anne represented the British royal family at a Dawn Service at Hyde Park Corner.

The Princess Royal laid a wreath at Wellington Arch, where hundreds of expats gathered for commemorations.

While the Princess of Wales attended a wreath laying and parade service at London's Cenotaph, alongside New Zealand Commissioner Hamish Cooper.

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Royals help commemorate Anzac Day in the UK