Princess Kate wears engagement ring for first time in months at Remembrance Festival

Kate Thomas
·4 min read
Catherine, Princess of Wales views floral tributes left at the entrance to Sandringham House, the Norfolk estate of Queen Elizabeth II,
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales (Getty)

The Princess of Wales made a spellbinding appearance at the annual Festival of Remembrance, held at London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening, and for the first time in a while she was pictured with her stunning diamond and sapphire engagement ring.

Dressed head-to-toe in black with a poppy adorning her coat dress, Kate looked dignified in her sombre ensemble as she paid her respects to the nation's fallen servicemen and women alongside her husband Prince William.

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales (R) arrives to attend "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance" ceremony
Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales (R) arrives to attend "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance" ceremony (CHRIS J RATCLIFFE)

The event marked the first time the 42-year-old royal has carried out two consecutive days of official engagements since the start of the year as she begins to slowly and steadily make a return to public-facing life following her all-clear from cancer.

Kate wore a beautiful black coat dress, and paired it with a pair of light-denier tights and black Romy 100 pumps from Jimmy Choo. She added a Chanel lambskin quilted mini square bag.

Kate Middleton and Prince William talking to men in suits
Princess Kate joined her husband Prince William for the poignant event (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo)

The Princess wore her brunette locks loose in waves down her back, and kept her make-up simple with a nude lip.

For jewellery, the mum-of-three wore Princess Diana’s diamond drop earrings, and a Monica Vinader vintage chain pearl necklace, as well as her stunning engagement ring, and a pin for the Fleet Air Arm of which she is Commodore-in-Chief.

Front row (L-R) Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal attend "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance" ceremony at Royal Albert Hall
Front row (L-R) Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal attend "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance" ceremony at Royal Albert Hall (CHRIS J RATCLIFFE)

More Princess of Wales

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales (2L) and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales (2R) attend "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance" ceremony at Royal Albert Hall, in London, on November 9, 2024
Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales wore a black coat dress for the event (CHRIS J RATCLIFFE)

Also in attendance were King Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, as well as the Duke of Kent.

Queen Camilla, 77, has been suffering from a chest infection and was forced to cancel her engagements this week on doctors' orders.

Remembrance weekend

The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance is held every year on the Saturday evening of Remembrance weekend.

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales (L) and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales (R) attend "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance" ceremony at Royal Albert Hall
Princess of Wales and Prince of Wales cheer on performances from Sir Tom Jones (CHRIS J RATCLIFFE)

Broadcast on BBC One, the special event honours sacrifices made by the British and Commonwealth armed forces community and features personal testimonies, storytelling and moving musical performances.

This year's event focused on showcasing the contribution of the Second World War generation 80 years on from the D-Day landings. It also commemorated 25 years since Nato peacekeeping forces were deployed in Kosovo and 10 years since British troops withdrew from Afghanistan.

Britain's King Charles III (C) arrives to attend "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance" ceremony at Royal Albert Hall
Britain's King Charles III (C) arrives to attend "The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance" ceremony at Royal Albert Hall (q)

The crowd at the Royal Albert Hall stood and applauded as King Charles entered to a royal fanfare by state trumpeters of the household division under the direction of Trumpet Major Julian Sandford MVO.  The King was seated next to the Princess Royal, with the Prince and Princess of Wales further along the aisle in the royal box.

The King waved to the crowds following the singing of the national anthem during the Festival of Remembrance, to which the Prince and Princess of Wales joined in. The anthem was followed by serving personnel on the floor of the hall removing their headwear and giving three cheers to the King on the instruction of Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew Stokes.

The royal family stood in silence as the Last Post was played and poppy petals fell from the ceiling at the Royal British Legion event.

Princess Anne in a black dress at the Festival of Remembrance
Princess Anne was also in attendance (WPA Pool)

On Sunday, senior members of the royal family, led by King Charles, will gather in remembrance of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Thousands of veterans wearing their medals will observe a solemn two-minute silence, supported by family members, following a public march.

In keeping with tradition, Kate will watch from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office balcony overlooking Whitehall, taking part in the solemn two-minute silence and viewing the veterans' march past.

DISCOVER: Princess of Wales and King Charles' special gesture to Lady Louise on birthday revealed

The Prince of Wales will lay down a floral tribute – featuring the Prince of Wales' feathers and a new ribbon in Welsh red – at the Portland stone monument.

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