An emotional Princess of Wales completed a milestone in her return to duties on Sunday, as she joined other members of the royal family at the Cenotaph.
The appearance marks the first time Kate has carried out commitments on two consecutive days since she was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year.
King Charles laid the first wreath in recognition of the fallen from conflicts dating back to the First World War. Kate viewed the Remembrance Sunday service from a government building balcony overlooking the Cenotaph.
Dressed in black, Kate wore a netted hat with her hair in a twisted chignon and a military-style coat featuring black epaulettes, which was embellished at the neck with a black velvet bow.
Body language experts said the princess’s emotional appearance seemed “sombre yet stoic”.
Expert Judi James told MailOnline: “Kate’s body language and even her styling today showed a return to what looked like full regal form.
“Her facial expression became sombre once we heard the chimes of Big Ben and there was a more contained version of her clearly emotional signalling that we saw at the concert the evening before.”
Latest Royal Family News
- Royals honour nation’s war dead at Cenotaph
- Princess of Wales joins King at Royal Albert Hall
- Camilla to miss Remembrance events
- Prince William laments ‘dreadful year'
King to mark 76th birthday by opening food distribution hubs
09:31
Jabed Ahmed
The King will open two hubs designed to save and circulate tonnes of surplus food as he marks his 76th birthday.
The opening of the distribution centres will also mark the first anniversary of the Coronation Food Project, an initiative to support charities feeding the nation with unwanted food.
Charles, who celebrates his birthday on Thursday, will open the initiative’s first two Coronation Food Hubs – one in person and one virtually.
It is hoped the hubs will help charities like FareShare and the Felix Project to support communities in need.
The hub the King is visiting will host a “surplus food festival”, with meals created from food which would otherwise have gone to waste.
Charles will tour the new facility, meeting beneficiaries and representatives of food banks, schools and community groups.
William to carry out duties with ‘smaller r in the royal’
08:42
Jabed Ahmed
The Prince of Wales has defined his role as heir to the throne, saying he wants to carry out his duties with a “smaller r in the royal”.
William spelled out his philosophy at the end of a major visit to South Africa where he mixed the informal with traditional elements of the monarchy, and said he was trying to do things “differently” and wanted to be a prince for his “generation”.
The future king said what mattered to him was “impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people” and stressed “empathy” was also important “because I really care about what I do”.
He said he hoped to carry out overseas tours with the Princess of Wales, who this autumn returned to royal duties after completing a course of cancer treatment.
The hidden message in Kate’s Remembrance Sunday outfit
08:01
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales wore a traditionally sombre black outfit as she appeared at the Cenotaph war memorial for Remembrance Sunday.
Kate’s diamond and pearl drop earrings belonged to the late Queen and she wore her silver Queen’s Dragoon Guards brooch – in a nod to her role as the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief – beneath three red poppies.
Some have suggested that each poppy represents a different branch of the military, while others have said that a cluster of flowers is simply more visible than a single one.
Another theory speculates Kate wears the poppy trio to honour her great-grandmother’s three brothers, who died in the First World War.
Watch: King Charles and Prince William lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Cenotaph ceremony
07:04
Athena Stavrou
Pictured: Royals pay tribute to war dead at Cenotaph
06:00
Athena Stavrou
Emotional Kate reaches milestone in return to duty
04:01
Athena Stavrou
An emotional Princess of Wales completed a milestone in her return to royal duties on Sunday, as she joined other members of the royal family at the Cenotaph.
The appearance marks the first time Kate has carried out commitments on two consecutive days since she was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year.
Kate looked on at the Remembrance Sunday service as the King, who is still undergoing treatment for his own cancer diagnosis, led the nation in a two-minute silence to honour fallen servicemen and women.
Dressed in black as is the tradition, Kate wore a netted hat with her hair in a twisted chignon and a military-style coat featuring black epaulettes, which was embellished at the neck with a black velvet bow.
On the princess’s coat were three red poppies, often rumoured to be in honour of her great-grandmother’s three brothers, who all lost their lives in the First World War.
As the Queen was forced to stay at home after falling sick with a chest infection, Kate was instead joined by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as they oversaw the ceremony on the Foreign Office balcony.
Watch: Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch join Remembrance Sunday service
02:01
Athena Stavrou
GB News condemned for going ‘off air’ with loud sustained beeping and adverts during Remembrance Day silence
00:11
Athena Stavrou
TV channel GB News has faced criticism after seemingly going off air during the Remembrance Day two-minute silence.
Those watching GB News during the silence, which is held at 11am every Remembrance Sunday to honour members of the armed forces, were instead treated to an “off-air” test card, along with a sustained beeping sound.
After a minute of the test card appearing onscreen, and the accompanying beeping, the channel then went straight into advertisements.
Viewers criticised the incident on social media, with many noting the irony of it occurring on GB News, a right-leaning channel that has devoted significant airtime in recent weeks to the importance of Remembrance Day.
Read the full story here:
Watch: Princess of Wales attends Remembrance Day Cenotaph ceremony
Sunday 10 November 2024 22:11
Athena Stavrou
The hidden message in Kate’s Remembrance Sunday outfit
Sunday 10 November 2024 20:01
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales wore a traditionally sombre black outfit as she appeared at the Cenotaph war memorial for Remembrance Sunday.
Kate’s diamond and pearl drop earrings belonged to the late Queen and she wore her silver Queen’s Dragoon Guards brooch – in a nod to her role as the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief – beneath three red poppies.
Some have suggested that each poppy represents a different branch of the military, while others have said that a cluster of flowers is simply more visible than a single one.
Another theory speculates Kate wears the poppy trio to honour her great-grandmother’s three brothers, who died in the First World War.
Kate marks yet another year attending the Remembrance Sunday service
Sunday 10 November 2024 19:00
Athena Stavrou
The princess made her first ever appearance at the service as the Duchess of Cambridge 13 years ago, seven months after she married William, joining the royal family and becoming an HRH.
She was pictured in 2011 in a black double-breasted coat by Diane von Furstenberg and a small brimmed hat with a large bow by couture milliner Jane Corbett.
Kate has attended every year since, including 2020 when she took to the balcony, standing socially distanced from Camilla, during the Covid pandemic when the increasingly frail late Elizabeth II missed the service due to a sprained back.
Round up of Remembrance weekend
Sunday 10 November 2024 18:00
Athena Stavrou
Remembrance weekend is one of the most important times in the royal annual calendar - and this year was no different.
The weekend began with a number of royals attending the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.
The King was joined by members of his family including the Prince and Princess of Wales as they watched attentively as current serving personnel paid tribute to those who lost their lives in service
During the festival, William and Kate, both wearing poppies, applauded a performance by Sir Tom Jones – who sang I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall with the central band of the Royal Air Force – and joined other members of the royal family in standing to clap for Second World War veterans.
In what was a milestone appearance for Kate, she also joined Charles and William at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph on Sunday.
It is the first time the princess has carried out engagements over two consecutive days since she was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
Charles lead the nation in a two-minute silence to honour those who have died in conflict with his son, William and his sister, the Princess Royal, stood behind him.
The monarch went on to the lay the first wreath to honour the war dead at the Cenotaph, with William and Anne following suit.
Blind veteran, 100, ‘felt 10 feet tall’ marching past Cenotaph for first time
Sunday 10 November 2024 17:01
Athena Stavrou
A blind 100-year-old veteran has said he felt “10 feet tall” as he marched past the Cenotaph in London, taking part in the annual Remembrance Sunday service for the first time.
Michael Woods, from Dunstable in Bedfordshire, marched with more than 40 other blind veterans supported by the charity Blind Veterans UK.
The Second World War veteran joined the Royal Air Force after being called up for service in 1943, training as an aircraft mechanic.
Mr Woods said he was “so proud” to have “finally” marched in Whitehall, according to a release from the charity.
“What an amazing experience, I’ve never felt anything quite like it,” the veteran said. “The crowds cheering for us as we made our way around made me feel 10 feet tall.
“I’m so proud to have finally marched here in my 100th year. It’s such an honour. And it was all the sweeter knowing that my wife and family were watching me on TV.”
Watch: Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch join Remembrance Sunday service
Sunday 10 November 2024 16:07
Athena Stavrou
Pictures of the royals at the Cenotaph
Sunday 10 November 2024 15:38
Athena Stavrou
Kate Middleton: A timeline of the princess’s year so far, from cancer diagnosis to royal return
Sunday 10 November 2024 15:01
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales is making a steady return to royal duties following what has been one of the most tumultuous years of her life.
In March, Kate confirmed she had been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer. What followed was a nine-month battle as she underwent “preventative chemotherapy”. She endured intense online speculation in the weeks leading up to the public announcement and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since.
The princess made appearances at both the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday and the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
Though she has made a small number of appearances this year, the weekend marks the first time she has carried out two consecutive days of public official engagements since the start of the year.
Here is a full timeline of Kate’s health journey in 2024 so far:
Queen follows Cenotaph service on TV and observes two-minute silence at home
Sunday 10 November 2024 14:27
Athena Stavrou
The Queen watched the moving Remembrance Sunday service from home while she recuperates from a chest infection.
Camilla observed the two minutes’ silence privately as she followed the proceedings live on television at Raymill, her Wiltshire house, after doctors ordered her to miss the annual ceremony.
Camilla’s wreath, as is the custom even if she had attended, was placed at the Cenotaph on her behalf by her equerry Major Ollie Plunket, of The Rifles.
On it was a handwritten tribute from the Queen which read “In everlasting remembrance” and was signed “Camilla R”.
The ring of poppies closely resembles the one used for Charles’s late beloved grandmother, the Queen Mother.
Swinney pays tribute to war hero uncle as nation pauses on Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 10 November 2024 14:01
Athena Stavrou
First Minister John Swinney led tributes at the Remembrance Sunday service in Edinburgh, saying he will particularly remember his uncle who died in the Second World War.
Mr Swinney joined the city’s Lord Provost and other civic leaders to lay wreaths at the Stone of Remembrance outside the city chambers, alongside veterans and military personnel.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the service, Mr Swinney said it is “vital” to pay respect to those who died to preserve our freedoms.
The First Minister’s uncle, Corporal Tom Hunter of 43 Royal Marine Commando, died on April 3 1945 in Comacchio, Italy.
Mr Swinney said: “On Remembrance Sunday I remember particularly all those who lost their lives, but especially my late uncle.
“He was 21 years of age. He laid down his life to protect his troop and consequently he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery in the United Kingdom.
“Although that award was given to my late grandmother and my late grandfather, it was of limited comfort to them because they had lost their son, my mum had lost her brother, and her brothers had lost their brothers too.
“We remember fondly the sacrifice he made so we could live in freedom.”
Watch: Nation falls silent as two minutes silence held at Remembrance Day service
Sunday 10 November 2024 13:24
Athena Stavrou
Youngest marching contingent pass the Cenotaph
Sunday 10 November 2024 13:00
Athena Stavrou
The youngest marching contingent has processed past the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
Around 95 young people from Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity supporting children who lost a parent serving in the armed forces, walked past the war memorial while wearing black and yellow scarves.
A group of Chelsea Pensioners received a loud cheer as they marched down Whitehall earlier during the Royal British Legion event.
Duchess of Edinburgh lends support to Kate in Remembrance Day appearance
Sunday 10 November 2024 12:52
Athena Stavrou
In the absence of the Queen, who is recuperating at home with a chest infection, the Princess of Wales was due to take to the central balcony alone.
But the Duchess of Edinburgh was switched from her originally planned position with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on a neighbouring balcony to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Kate in support.
Kate chatted with and smiled at Sophie at the start and, as they retreated from the balcony at the ceremony’s close, Sophie was seen to place her gloved hand on the princess’s back in a comforting gesture.
Military personnel join veterans and public for Remembrance Sunday in Portsmouth
Sunday 10 November 2024 12:33
Athena Stavrou
Members of the Armed Forces have joined with dignitaries and members of the public for Remembrance Sunday in Portsmouth – the home of the Royal Navy.
The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Jason Fazackarley attended the service in the Hampshire city’s Guildhall Square. The service was preceded by a parade of veterans, military personnel and youth groups and culminated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Portsmouth’s First World War and Second World War memorials.
Also in attendance were Portsmouth’s two Labour MPs Amanda Martin and Stephen Morgan.
Pictured: Kate emotional as she watches Remembrance service
Sunday 10 November 2024 12:27
Athena Stavrou
Watch: King Charles and Prince William lay wreaths at Remembrance Day Cenotaph ceremony
Sunday 10 November 2024 12:06
Athena Stavrou
What politicians joined the royals at the Cenotaph?
Sunday 10 November 2024 12:00
Athena Stavrou
As the King and other members of the royal family honoured the war dead at the Cenotaph on Sunday, a number of politicians did so also.
Prime Minister Sir Keir stepped forward to pay tribute to the fallen on behalf of the Government with his floral tribute, as did the Conservative Party’s new leader Kemi Badenoch, other party leaders, senior members of the Cabinet, military chiefs of staff and high commissioners.
Standing close to the Cenotaph were an unprecedented eight former prime ministers: Sir John Major, Sir Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Lord Cameron, Baroness May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer watched the events a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as only the heads of parties with six or more seats in Parliament, plus the leaders of the largest party from each of the devolved nations, lay a wreath.
Watch: Princess of Wales attends Remembrance Day Cenotaph ceremony
Sunday 10 November 2024 11:43
Athena Stavrou
Kate wears late Queen’s earrings at Remembrance ceremony
Sunday 10 November 2024 11:40
Athena Stavrou
Dressed in sombre black as is the tradition, the Princess of Wales wore a netted hat with her hair in a twisted chignon, and a military-style coat featuring black epaulettes and embellished at the neck with a black velvet bow.
Her diamond and pearl drop earrings belonged to the late Queen, and she also wore her silver Queen’s Dragoon Guards brooch – in a nod to her role as the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief – beneath three red poppies.
King lays first wreath at Cenotaph
Sunday 10 November 2024 11:19
Athena Stavrou
The King laid a wreath at the Cenotaph to honour those who have died in conflict after leading the nation in a two-minute silence in one of the annual Remembrance Sunday service’s most poignant moments.
Charles, dressed in his Royal Navy uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet, saluted after stepping back from the Cenotaph.
His wreath closely resembles one produced for King George VI, with 41 paper poppy petals mounted on an arrangement of black leaves, as is traditional for Sovereign’s wreaths, and adorned with a scarlet, purple and gold ribbon and bow.
The colours of the ribbon and bow are from the King’s racing silk.
Other members of the royal family laid wreaths, including the Prince of Wales in his Royal Air Force uniform in the rank of Wing Commander.
Royals honour nation’s war dead at Cenotaph
Sunday 10 November 2024 11:16
Athena Stavrou
King Charles and the Princess of Wales were amongst the senior members of the royal family to commemorate the nation’s war dead at the Cenotaph this morning.
The monarch led the nation in a solemn two-minute silence to honour those who have died in conflict as he stood before the monument with his son, the Prince of Wales, and sister, the Princess Royal, standing behind him.
Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales watched the ceremony from above on the nearby Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office balcony overlooking Whitehall with Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Charles went on to lay the first wreath at the Cenotaph before William and Anne followed suit.
Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch join Remembrance Sunday service
Sunday 10 November 2024 11:11
Athena Stavrou
King leads two minutes silence
Sunday 10 November 2024 11:03
Athena Stavrou
King Charles is currently leading the nation in a solemn two-minute silence to honour those who have died in conflict.
The monarch appeared at the Cenotaph on Sunday mourning for the poignant ceremony as his son, the Prince of Wales, and sister, the Princess Royal, stood behind him.
Kate arrives at ceremony
Sunday 10 November 2024 11:01
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales has arrived at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
As is tradition, Kate stood by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh to watch from above, on the nearby Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office balcony overlooking Whitehall.
In 2023 Kate stood next to the Queen but in Camilla’s absence this year due to a chest infection the princess was accompanied by the duchess.
The pair emerged just before 11am to join the nation in commemorating those who have died or suffered in war and conflict.
It is the first time since the start of the year that Kate, who is recovering from cancer, is carrying out two consecutive days of public official engagements.
Starmer and former prime ministers arrive at service
Sunday 10 November 2024 10:59
Athena Stavrou
The current prime minister and former prime ministers have arrived at the service to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
Sir Keir Starmer was joined by newly appointed leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, and a number of former prime ministers including Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss and Tony Blair.
Nigel Farage and Carla Denyer watch service from above
Sunday 10 November 2024 10:50
Athena Stavrou
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer are among the politicians watching the Remembrance Sunday service from a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Only the heads of parties with six or more seats in Parliament, plus the leaders of the largest party from each of the devolved nations, lay a wreath at the Cenotaph during the service.
Reform has five MPs and the Greens have four.
Pictures from the Cenotaph
Sunday 10 November 2024 10:35
Athena Stavrou
Remembrance Sunday parade begins
Sunday 10 November 2024 10:23
Athena Stavrou
This year’s Remembrance Sunday events are now beginning in Whitehall as thousands await the arrival of the royal family.
Some of the 10,000 veterans joining the The Royal British Legion’s veteran parade have begun marching past the Cenotaph in central London.
Those marching represent 326 different armed forces and civilian organisations.
More than 800 sailors, soldiers and aviators will also be on duty on Remembrance Sunday, representing their services at the Cenotaph and at commemorative services at Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Nato and the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale between the UK and France.
It also marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in the Second World War and the 25th anniversary of the end of the war in Kosovo.
Thousands of people are later expected to line Whitehall to take part in the two-minute silence.
Watch live: Princess of Wales joins royal family for Remembrance Day Cenotaph ceremony
Sunday 10 November 2024 10:18
Athena Stavrou
Watch live as the Princess of Wales joins royal family for Remembrance Day Cenotaph ceremony.
On Sunday, Charles will lead the nation in a two-minute silence to honour those who have died in conflict.
Members of the royal family will, together with senior politicians, lay wreaths during the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph to mark the Armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces:
What will happen at the Cenotaph today?
Sunday 10 November 2024 10:05
Athena Stavrou
Senior members of the royal family will be appearing at the Cenotaph on Whitehall this morning for the Remembrance Sunday service at 11am.
The service at the Cenotaph is an important fixture in the royal calendar to pay tribute to the nation’s fallen servicemen and women.
On Sunday, Charles will lead the nation in a two-minute silence to honour those who have died in conflict.
Members of the royal family will, together with senior politicians, lay wreaths during the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph to mark the Armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces
Kate will watch, as is tradition, from above, on the nearby Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office balcony overlooking Whitehall, taking part in the solemn two-minute silence and viewing the veterans’ march past.
The Royal British Legion’s veteran parade will see 10,000 veterans, representing 326 different armed forces and civilian organisations, march past the Cenotaph.
Thousands of people are expected to line Whitehall to take part in the two-minute silence.
Kate to join King Charles at Cenotaph in rare second appearance for Remembrance weekend
Sunday 10 November 2024 09:32
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales is set to join the King at the Cenotaph this morning as she makes a rare second appearance for Remembrance weekend.
Kate has taken a significant step in her gradual return to public royal duties following her cancer treatment by carrying out two consecutive days of public official engagements for the first time since the start of the year.
On Sunday, in one of the annual ceremony’s most poignant moments, Charles will lead the nation in a two-minute silence to honour those who have died in conflict.
Kate, who is in recovery, and Charles, who is still having treatment for the disease, also attended the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on Saturday evening.
They were joined by the Prince of Wales who sat next to Kate on Saturday evening, and the poppy-wearing pair got involved in the night’s music, applauding Sir Tom Jones and singing hymns as well as the national anthem.
However, the Queen was unable to attend as she continues to recover from a chest infection.
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