The Princess of Wales has appeared at some of the Royal Family’s most high-profile events over the Remembrance weekend – and a key item she has not been seen with in recent weeks made a return
Royal fans have been delighted to see the Princess of Wales back on public duties with the Royal Family yet again.
Kate has carried out public appearances for two consecutive days for Remembrance weekend – her first time in doing so since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year and her subsequent chemotherapy treatment. Today she made a rare appearance at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph – a sign of both her gradual return to duties and the importance the royal family places on the annual tribute to the fallen after being at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall last night.
In her few appearances before today’s service, including her emotional video where she opened up about her chemotherapy treatment being over, and during a poignant visit to Southport after the fatal stabbings in the town, Kate swapped her engagement ring in favour of a new ring.
At nearly all royal engagements prior to her cancer treatment, Kate would be seen wearing her blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring that once belonged to William’s late mother Princess Diana. But then she plumped for a new one, also set with sapphires and diamonds, much like her engagement ring. During her visit to Southport, it was stacked with her gold wedding band as well as a further eternity ring, which she also usually wears.
Kate’s recent jewellery choices have sparked speculation with royal watchers, as many wondered whether the new ring could have been a gift from William, particularly given the family have endured such a “brutal” year. Royal historian Tessa Dunlop also told the Mirror she believes that Kate’s new ring symbolises the strong sense of “togetherness” between the Prince and Princess of Wales.
But when Kate and other senior royals stepped out for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, royal fans noticed she she was wearing her engagement ring again. She looked radiant as she arrived at the famous west London venue, dressed in an elegant black dress alongside her husband. The blue sapphire dazzled in pictures from the event.
It remains unclear whether Kate wore her engagement ring for Sunday’s service as she was wearing gloves, but it was clear that she chose poignant jewellery to mark the occasion.
Dressed in black in keeping with tradition, brave Kate looked the part in a netted hat, with her hair in a twisted chignon, and a military-style coat featuring black epaulettes, embellished at the neck with a black velvet bow.
The Princess also wore diamond and pearl drop earrings which belonged to the late Queen. She also wore her silver Queen’s Dragoon Guards brooch – in a nod to her role as the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief – beneath her three poppies. Kate also wore 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.
It comes as Kate was tenderly comforted by Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, as they stood side by side on the balcony of the Foreign Office at today’s service. And body language expert Judi James noted the sweet moment both royals shared, as she explained to the Mirror: “Sophie was clearly in the role of temporary stand-in for William.
“She chatted to Kate on the balcony as the two women stood side-by-side and despite Kate’s impeccable appearance of confidence as she stood in the spot that used to belong to the late Queen, Sophie appeared to be keeping a watchful eye over her as Anne has clearly been keeping over brother Charles.
“It was the small touch or even pat on the back as Kate walked ahead inside the building that seemed to not only offer a form of maternal affection, caring and reassurance or even congratulation to her niece-in-law, but it also looked like the visible proof to William that Kate is in very safe and caring royal hands when he is not there by her side.