The RSL says a decision to drop 'God Save the Queen' from Melbourne's Anzac Day dawn service was made after widespread consultation.

The decision has angered monarchist groups, who say it may offend veterans and their families.

David Flint from Australians for Constitutional Monarchy says the decision is disrespectful to Australia's wartime past.

"They certainly haven't done the right thing," he says.

"You don't just trample all over your traditions. You don't say, well, that's the past, and we're going to get rid of that, otherwise you start doing other things as well, which take away the whole point."

But the RSL's Victorian president, David McLachlan, says the decision was made based on feedback from veterans and young people alike.

He says after the dawn service every year, they ask a whole range of people what they think of the service.

"The question often comes up why do you have 'God Save the Queen'? It's not relevant and nobody knows it. So we've taken that into consideration." he said.

He said the decision has the support of the Anzac Day commemoration council.