The Princess of Wales appeared sombre in a monochrome ensemble as she paid her respects to fallen soldiers during today’s Remembrance Sunday service.
Standing on the centre balcony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, the future Queen looked reflective and composed while King Charles led the nation in a two-minute silence at 11am during the National Service of Remembrance.
Wearing an all-black Catherine Walker ‘Evie’ coat adorned with a single red poppy, Kate paid tribute to those who gave their lives in service to their country. The symbolic flower was fastened neatly to her lapel — a gesture of remembrance and respect.
Adding a personal touch, the Princess wore her late mother-in-law Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings — a wedding gift to Diana from the Spencer family’s jeweller in 1981, which the late princess wore to numerous royal events and banquets. Kate has previously worn the same pair for last year’s Festival of Remembrance, a heartfelt nod to Prince William’s mother.
She also honoured her grandfather, Peter Middleton, by wearing a gold-winged RAF brooch placed beside her poppy. Peter, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 90, served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War and once co-piloted a flight from South America to London Heathrow in 1966 with Prince Philip on board.
Observers noted the royal’s solemn expression as she reflected on the sacrifice of those who fought for their country. Standing alongside Queen Camilla, Kate wore a high-collared black jacket, a lace scarf, and a £1,295 large Belvedere percher hat from Lock Hatters — an elegant yet understated look fitting for the occasion.
The Princess travelled to the Cenotaph by car with her husband, Prince William, waving to crowds of well-wishers upon arrival. They were followed shortly by Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
King Charles, dressed in a field marshal uniform with a ceremonial frock coat, led the proceedings by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph and offering a solemn salute. Prince William, wearing his RAF uniform in the rank of Wing Commander, followed suit, also laying a wreath and saluting.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, appeared emotional as she watched from the left balcony beside the Duke of Kent, 90, who saluted firmly as the ceremony began. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester observed from the right balcony.
Prominent political figures — including Prime Ministers past and present, such as David Cameron, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown — also attended, joining current party leaders Sir Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch, who stood with wreaths in hand before the Cenotaph.
Across the country, services were held to honour the fallen, with this year’s Armistice Day marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Around 10,000 armed forces veterans took part in the Royal British Legion’s march-past through Whitehall, joined by about 20 surviving WWII veterans.
Before the two-minute silence, military bands performed patriotic pieces including Rule Britannia as thousands of spectators gathered along Whitehall.
The event followed Kate’s appearance at the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday evening at the Royal Albert Hall, where she was accompanied by her 12-year-old son, Prince George. For the annual occasion, she wore a striking black dress with a wide white collar by Alessandra Rich, complemented by earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Her dress was finished with an HMS Glasgow brooch and a handmade poppy crafted from silk, glass, and natural materials by Izzy Ager of Lock & Co., a recent graduate of the Royal School of Needlework.
Prince George looked poised in a black suit, striped tie, and poppy pin as he made his debut at the Festival of Remembrance — stepping in for his father, who was returning from the Earthshot Prize Awards and COP30 summit in Brazil.
The evening featured performances by Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder, and Keala Settle, alongside the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires, and the Band of HM Royal Marines.
King Charles appeared visibly moved during a rendition of God Save the King, and was later greeted with three cheers from the Armed Forces. The monarch, now patron of the Royal British Legion, joined Queen Camilla, Kate, and other royals in paying tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes.
Ahead of today’s commemorations, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“This Remembrance Sunday, we pause as a nation to honour all those who have served our country.
We reflect on the extraordinary courage of our armed forces in the world wars and later conflicts, whose service secured the freedoms we cherish today.
Eighty years since the end of the Second World War, we remember a generation who stood against tyranny and shaped our future. Their legacy is peace, and our duty is to protect it.
Such sacrifice deserves more than silence — which is why this Government remains committed to supporting veterans, their families, and all who serve.
Today, we remember — and we renew our promise to uphold the values they fought for.”