The Princess of Wales looked as stylish as ever as she stepped out in her Remembrance Day ensemble yesterday – and her look was a very meaningful one.
Kate, 43, appeared sombre as she joined members of the royal family in paying her respects to fallen soldiers while attending Sunday’s Remembrance service at the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall, London.
The future Queen re-wore her asymmetrical coat from 2022’s service by Catherine Walker, one of her favourite designers, and made a clever upgrade, adding a new pie-crust collar, black lace jabot at the neckline and a fascinator from Lock & Co.
Her look also included several touching tributes to late family members, including her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, and grandfather, Peter Middleton, who served in World War Two.
For example, Kate’s accessories included a pair of pearl drop earrings, traditionally worn by royals on occasions of mourning and remembrance.
This year, she wore Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings, originally gifted to Prince William‘s mother by the Spencer family’s favourite jewellers, the Collingwood jewellery House.
Kate honoured her grandfather Peter by wearing a gold-winged RAF brooch, carefully placed next to her poppy.
Peter – who passed away aged 90 in 2010 – served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War and had his own connection to the Royal Family after flying from South America to London Heathrow with Prince Philip on board in October 1966.
The Princess of Wales looked as stylish as ever as she stepped out in her Remembrance Day ensemble yesterday (pictured) – and her look was a very meaningful one
The future Queen, 43, appeared sombre as she joined members of the royal family in paying her respects to fallen soldiers while attending yesterday’s Remembrance service at the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall, London
Elsewhere, Kate enhanced her previous look by switching up her poppy choice, with royal observers noting her decision to go with a singular flower this year, in comparison with the trio she’s worn previously.
The poppy, handcrafted by Izzy Ager of Lock & Co, was designed by a recent graduate of The Royal School of Needlework, using silk, glass and other natural materials.
Recycling old favourites is a fashion habit loved by the Princess, who is known for her impeccable ability to reinvent a piece by adding a statement bow or new accessory.
Yesterday, Kate was joined by her husband, Prince William, 43, who laid wreaths at the Cenotaph alongside King Charles and Prince Edward.
The Princess joined Queen Camilla and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, on a nearby balcony to watch the poignant display.
The royal appeared solemn and bleary-eyed as she reflected on every soldier who gave up their lives fighting for the country.
Prince William wore his RAF uniform in the rank of Wing Commander with a greatcoat, poppy and sword.
Kate wore her late mother-in-law’s Collingwood pearl earrings, once gifted to Princess Diana by the Spencer family’s favourite jewellers, the Collingwood jewellery House
She also honoured her grandfather, Peter Middleton, by wearing a gold-winged RAF brooch, which she carefully placed next to her poppy
The royal family joined thousands taking part in services across the country, with this year’s Armistice Day marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Some 10,000 armed forces veterans took part in the Royal British Legion’s march-past through Whitehall, alongside about 20 Second World War veterans.
It came just a day after Saturday’s Festival of Remembrance service, where Kate also wore family favourite accessories.
Joined by her son, Prince George, 12, Kate wore an elegant new black Alessandra Rich dress with a white Peter Pan-style collar.
She looked regal in Bahrain pearl drop earrings, once gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II and previously worn by Princess Diana.
It came just a day after Saturday’s Festival of Remembrance service, where she also wore family favourite accessories
Elizabeth, who was crowned in 1952, was fond of the earrings and wore them on multiple occasions during the early years of her reign, including in official portraits and at galas.
Then, in 1982, the Queen loaned them to Diana, who wore them for a banquet at Hampton Court Palace during a state visit from Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus of the Netherlands.
Evidently a fan of the pearl earrings, Kate has been seen wearing them on at least half a dozen occasions, during Remembrance Sunday Services in 2016 and 2019, and later at the Royal Ascot in 2017 and at 2019’s Trooping the Colour.
She also wore the elegant pearls while attending the funeral of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, along with another piece of jewellery loaned to her by the Queen – the Japanese choke necklace, a combination also worn by Diana in 1982.
