Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton.Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty
Kate MiddletonjoinedQueen Camillaat one of themost poignant eventson the royal calendar.
Members of the royal family gathered in London at the Cenotaph war memorial for the National Service of Remembrance, also known as Remembrance Sunday. The annual ceremony, which always takes place the second weekend of November, honors those from the U.K. and Commonwealth nations who died in wars.
The Princess of Wales, 40, took her spot alongside Queen Camilla, 75, on the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office overlooking the service. Their husbands,Prince Williamand King Charles,laid wreaths at the memorialduring the service, which also included a two-minute moment of silence at 11 a.m. local time.
Kate accessorized with a poppy pin, a symbol that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military members who lost their lives. She and other members of the royal family have been seen wearing the pins since the start of November. The royal opted to wear three poppies on her otherwise black ensemble. The symbolic flowers are believed to honor her great-grandmother Olive Middleton’s three brothers, who all fought and died in World War 1.
During her life,Queen Elizabethwas known to wear five poppies on her black coat during the Remembrance Sunday service. It’s believed that her collection of flowers represented each of the services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Defense), with the fifth representing women.
Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson/Getty
While Princess Anne and Prince Edward also laid wreaths, Sophie stood with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester from another balcony. On a third balcony were Sir Laurence and the Duke of Kent.
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On Wednesday, Princess Kate shared a sweet moment with a 3-year-old boy named Akeem during hervisit to Colham Manor Children’s Centre. After Akeem showed interest in her poppy pin, she took it off of her jacket andgave it to himwhile sharing why she was wearing the accessory.
“Do you know what this is for?” Kate asked. “It’s for remembering all the soldiers who died in the war. There you go — that’s for you.”
Kate Middleton.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
On Saturday evening, Kate and Camilla joined fellow members of the royal family at theFestival of Remembranceat Royal Albert Hall.
Kate opted for a black ensemble for the solemn eventpaired with some meaningful jewelrythat previously belonged to her late grandmother-in-lawQueen Elizabeth: theBahrain pearl drop earringsand a four-strand pearl choker necklace with diamond piece in the center.
In September, Katechose the same piecesto wear forQueen Elizabeth’s state funeral and committal service.
source: people.com
