The Duke of Kent will represent the Queen at two services to commemorate those who were lost in Allied action in Italy in1944. The first, and smaller service, will take place at the beachhead cemetery at Anzio on Sunday 16 May. It will remember those who fell in the Allied landings there in January 1944. The second and larger service will be held at the Monte Cassino War cemetary on Monday 17 May. Organized by the Royal British Legion, the Commonwealth Service which takes place on the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino will remember all those who died as well as those who served in the battle.

Along with veterans and relatives of the fallen there will be representatives of Poland, Canada, New Zealand and other participant nations who suffered devastating losses during the four month battle which took the key German command post blocking the march of the Allied forces liberating Italy. Ivor Caplin MP Minister for Veterans at the British Ministry of Defence and Salvatore Cicu MP Undersecretary at the Italian Ministry of Defence will both be present at the ceremony. Serving personnel from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and from the New Zealand Forces will act as wreath-bearers. The cemeteries at Anzio and Monte Cassino are both maintained by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, of which the Duke of Kent is President.