A British influencer visiting Australia has sparked a social media firestorm after calling Anzac Day the ‘best day of the year’ and enjoying ‘pre-drinks’.
Allegra Phipps, who is documenting the trip for her 51,000 followers, drew backlash after sharing the remark on the day of national remembrance.
Anzac Day is traditionally marked by dawn services and moments of reflection to commemorate Australian and New Zealand service members who served and died in military conflicts.
After the solemnity, many Australians gather at pubs and RSL clubs to play Two-Up, a gambling game that is only legally allowed on a few days of the year.
Queues began to form outside pubs from as early as 8.30am on Saturday in Sydney, with a massive line of pub-goers waiting to get into The London in Paddington.
Among revellers in Sydney was Phipps, who posted a now-deleted video on her social media, alluding to drinking at home at 7am, before joining the crowds.
‘Pres (pre-drinks) at 7am?!!!!’ she wrote in a caption alongside a shot of her dancing.
However, while the video was removed, social media users took a screenshot and quickly shared it in a Facebook group, questioning her tone.
Allegra Phipps (pictured) posted a video on social media on Anzac Day, appearing to dance and allude to ‘pre-drinking’ on the day of remembrance
People on social media angrily shared the video, questioning whether Phipps had mixed up Anzac Day with Australia Day
‘Why are we having pres for ANZAC Day,’ one user wrote.
Another said: ‘Referring to ANZAC Day as the best day of the year is just extremely out of touch.’
A third suggested Phipps may have misunderstood which public holiday it was.
‘Surely, they’re mixing it up with Australia Day? That’s all I can fathom,’ they said.
The Daily Mail has contacted Phipps for comment.
On Sunday, she appeared in a video with another female content creator, hitting back at the haters online.
The pair could be seen dancing, pouting and blowing kisses at the camera with the caption: ‘How it feels to be super hot, funny, skinny, happy and not a member in a… Facebook group’.
