"If I didn't have all the people come up to me and complain I probably wouldn't have done anything.

"But men went to World War I under that anthem and our husbands did in World War II as well - us war widows thought that it was disrespectful."

Ms Hay, who was born in London, told the Mercury the last thing she had wanted to do was offend anyone.

She said that on Anzac Day she had attended a dawn service at Port Kembla, visited veterans at City Diggers and then met her husband, children and grandchildren to "cheer and applaud the marchers".

"My intention on the day was to pay my respects and honour the fallen, their families and their descendants," Ms Hay said.

"The war widows have suggested that I have offended them by not singing God Save the Queen - this was never my intention and I extend my sincere regrets if that is the case."

Ms Hay said she had written a reply to the letter from the guild and would investigate what had happened to it.

She said she could not remember if she had sung at the town hall.

Mrs Laidlaw said in her experience special guests sang both anthems at the services.

It is the responsibility of the Anzac Day committee to invite special guests - including Ms Hay - to the ceremony next year.

"But if it were up to me, I would say no," Mrs Laidlaw said.