The Princess of Wales joined the nation in commemorating Armistice Day on Tuesday by attending the Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum. It was the first time Kate had been to the service at the memorial, which she hailed as a "special" and "powerful" place for "personal reflection". For her visit just outside of Lichfield, Staffordshire, the Princess dressed solemnly in a black coat and wore two poppies. As the clock struck 11am, Kate joined attendees in observing the two-minute silence. She also paid her respects by laying a wreath in remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who have served in the Armed Forces.
During the Princess' outing, she bumped into royal photographer Arthur Edwards, who has been photographing the royal family for decades. "Hello Arthur," she said. When he commented that Kate's hat nearly blew off during the ceremony, she replied with a huge smile and a laugh: "I thought I was going to lose it at one time." And when asked if she was keeping well, Kate, who has been in remission since January following last year's cancer diagnosis, said: "Yes, I am. Nice to see you. Hope you are keeping well."
The Princess' solo engagement was the final in a string of engagements marking the Remembrance Day period. Over the weekend, she attended the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, accompanied by her son Prince George, 12, who was making his debut at the event. Prince William was noticeably absent, travelling back from Brazil, where he staged his Earthshot Prize Awards.
On Sunday, Kate was once again in the public eye as she joined the royal family at the traditional Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London. Watching proceedings from a balcony alongside Queen Camilla, the royal looked particularly moved as she observed the two-minute silence and saw members of her family lay wreaths at the memorial.
Stepping out again on Tuesday, Kate, 43, paid her personal respects to those who have died in conflict. See the best photos from her emotional outing below.
© AFP via Getty ImagesThe Princess' arrival
Kate was given a warm welcome as she attended the Service of Remembrance for the first time in Lichfield. The royal mastered the sombre dress code in an extremely dignified black coat dress by Catherine Walker. It featured military-style buttons running down the bodice with fringed detailing, as well as boxy shoulders and a Peter Pan collar.
During the 30-minute ceremony, she regularly held onto her wide-brimmed hat to prevent it from flying away.
© AFP via Getty ImagesArmistice Day
Armistice Day, which falls on 11 November, is the anniversary of the end of the First World War. Services across the UK and Commonwealth countries are held to remember servicemen and women who have fallen in the line of duty.
Speaking about the memorial site in Staffordshire, Kate said: "It's a memorial but it's a place of personal reflection for people. It's so raw, it brings it all home to everybody."
© Getty ImagesTwo-minute silence
Kate was seen closing her eyes as she joined attendees in observing the two-minute silence as the clock chimed 11am.
© Getty ImagesLaying a wreath
Kate laid a wreath in honour of those who have died in conflict and those who have served in the Armed Forces.
© Getty ImagesHandwritten message
The notecard featured a handwritten message, signed "Catherine": "In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them."
© Getty ImagesMoving service
During the service, a specially commissioned poem was read by the Arboretum's Poet in Residence, Arji Manuelpillai. The poem reflects on the importance of personal connections, experiences and bonds that are formed through military service, themes that are particularly close to the Princess' heart.
The service also featured performances by Talent in the Ranks and Black Voices.
© AFP via Getty ImagesVisibly moved
Kate appeared visibly moved by her first visit to the arboretum. Speaking to Hayley Lawrence, Royal Army Medical Corps, she later said: "It's a National Memorial and seeing the names and the families and friends, it's so powerful."
© Getty ImagesMeeting Squadron Leader Beth Long
After the service, Kate visited the Memorial Wall, where she viewed the newly dedicated names that have been engraved on the wall. She was introduced to Squadron Leader Beth Long and her two daughters Scarlett and Sophie. Beth's husband Squadron Leader Mark Long tragically passed away in March 2024 in a Spitfire crash during Battle of Britain Memorial Flight duties.
His name is the most recent to be etched on the wall, which Beth pointed at. There are 16,000 names on the stone memorial with room for 15,000 more.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesMeeting veterans
Kate also had the chance to meet veterans after the service, including a group of Second World War veterans, who regaled her with their stories.
Speaking to 101-year-old D-Day Veteran Alan Kennett, Kate said of her eldest son: "George will be very jealous."
Geoffrey Spencer, a 100-year-old RAF Veteran and VJ Day hero, also told the Princess about flying Lancaster Bombers in the Second World War. Kate said: "George very much likes Airfix models and the Lancaster Bomber and he knows much more about aircraft than me."
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesHolding hands
Kate also held the hand of 100-year-old Donald 'Bill' Redston, Royal Navy Veteran of VE Day. Kate told him: "When I think I haven't been here before but there's the National Memorial and there's the personal stories that I take away today. It's a special place. It's very nice to meet you. Thank you for sharing some of your stories."
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesGreeting well-wishers
The royal greeted well-wishers who had gathered at the arboretum and happily posed for photos, chatting and shaking hands. Josie Bradburn, 72, said afterwards: "She said what a beautiful place it was and has never been before and was honored to come here today and found it really emotional."
One youngster even shouted out "Oh my god" when Kate shook her hand.
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceKate meeting school pupils
Meeting students
She also spoke with a group of secondary school students from military families, whose parents are currently on deployment.
Towards the end of the visit, the Princess viewed a special exhibition, Letters from the Frontline – Words, War and Victory. The exhibition was produced in partnership with BBC radio stations across the Midlands and shares the changing experiences and emotions of Armed Forces Personnel and their families during 1945, throughout the final months of the Second World War, through a selection of moving correspondence.
