Hundreds of thousands of Australians remembered those who paid the ultimate price while defending their country during the annual Anzac Day commemorations.
Held each year on April 25, Anzac Day is a time for those enjoying the freedoms of living in Australia to think about those who fought and died in wars across the world.
Powerful pictures from this year’s commemorations included a re-enactment of a burial at sea, a traditional Maori greeting shared by Prince William and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and tearful veterans taking a moment to acknowledge the mates they had lost.
Elephant Rock on the Gold Coast was illuminated in vivid red hues during dawn service at Currumbin Beach, while the perpetual flame at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance burned as people gathered to pay their respects.
Heavily-armed police officers guarded ceremonies throughout Australia and New Zealand, alert for any possible signs of terrorism in the wake of the devastating Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which killed more than 300 people.
Snipers were seen perched on roofs, poised and ready to fire in case of any disturbance.
Gypsy O’Dea (left), granddaughter of late Australian second world war veteran and former prisoner of war Neil Macpherson, is consoled by a member of Australia’s Defense Forces at the Hellfire Pass section of the Thai-Burma railway in Thailand
Held each year on April 25, Anzac Day is a time for those enjoying the freedoms of living in Australia to think about those who fought and died in wars across the world
Powerful pictures from this year’s commemorations included a burial at sea re-enactment (pictured), a traditional Maori greeting shared by Prince William and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and tearful veterans taking a moment to acknowledge the mates they had lost
An ex-serviceman takes part in the Anzac Day march in Sydney on Thursday, cheered on by a crowd waving Australian flags
Britain’s Prince William greets New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Auckland, New Zealand
Veteran Novin Stevens, 99, is seen during the Anzac Day march in Adelaide
Coogee RSL Vice President Laurie Manning attends the Anzac Day dawn service at Coogee Beach in Sydney
A member of the 324 Squadron during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Coogee Beach
Australian Second World War veteran and former prisoner of war, 102-year-old Harold Martin (centre) arrives for the Anzac Day war memorial service at Hellfire Pass
In memory of the Australian Army Veterinary Corp (AAVC), Chris Kennedy and his horse Chaos (left) and Damon Hughes and horse Maverick are seen at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast on Tuesday
A member of Australia’s defense forces pays her respects to those who died at the Hellfire Pass section of the Thai-Burma railway in Thailand
Veterans, descendants of veterans, members of the Armed Services, military bands and school children take part in the Anzac Day march in Sydney
Lauren, from the Parachute Riggers Unit based in Richmond, poses for a photo during marches in Sydney
Veterans, descendants of veterans, members of the Armed Services, military bands and school children took part in the Anzac Day march in Sydney
A haka is performed during the Anzac Day service at Kings Park in Perth, Western Australia on Thursday
A former soldier looks into the Enternal Flame at the Shrine of Remembrance after the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne
isters Tahlia, 5, and Evie Malone, 3, place a poppy on the Roll of Honour following the Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra
A wreath is laid in memory of those who died at the Hellfire Pass section of the Thai-Burma railway, during the Anzac Day war memorial service at Hellfire Pass
Chief Cenotaph Attendant Wal Scott-Smith is seen following the Anzac Day Dawn Service at The Cenotaph in Sydney
Warplanes fly over the top of the Auckland War Memorial Museum as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attends the Anzac Day Civic Service
Gary Hayward of the 324 Squadron reacts during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Coogee Beach
Caelan Ryan, 9, wears his great grandfathers dress uniform from the Second World War during the Anzac day dawn service at the War Memorial on North Terrace in Adelaide
A member of the public salutes in front of the cenotaph during the Anzac Day dawn service at Cranmer Square
Elephant Rock at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast is illuminated in a vivd red during the dawn service on Thursday morning
Crowds gather during the Anzac Day dawn service in front of the perpetual flame at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne
A sniper is seen on the roof as part of the security of the Shrine during the Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne
A police officer looks on during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, New Zealand
People are seen laying flowers at the Shrine of Remembrance during the Anzac Day dawn service in Brisbane
Police remove a screaming woman before Britain’s Prince William lays a wreath during an Anzac Day service in Auckland
A former soldier salutes as people enter the Shrine of Remembrance after the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne
A veteran is seen during the dawn service in front of the perpetual flame at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne