The Princess of Wales beams as she appears at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance for her first high-profile appearance in months after undergoing cancer treatment.
Kate was radiant as she cut a sleek figure in a black dress walking alongside Prince William into the lavish Kensington venue to celebrate Britain’s servicemen and women.
It’s the first Princess of Wales’ first high profile appearance since being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, in a year described by William as the ‘hardest’ of his life, where he remarked how proud he was of his father and wife for their bravery.
His Majesty, who became Patron of the Royal British Legion earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as Princess Anne are also set to be in attendance at tonight’s events.
The Duke of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucestershire and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence are also expected to be seated in the Royal Box tonight, as those who put their lives on the line for King and Country are celebrated.
The Princess of Wales is beaming as she appears at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance for her first high-profile appearance in months after cancer treatment
Kate looks radiant as she cut a sleek figure in a stunning black dress with a Poppy pin honouring Britain’s military alongside her husband the Prince of Wales
Princess Anne attends The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London
The Princess Royal will be in attendance alongside her brother His Majesty King Charles II as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
Prince Richard – the Duke of Gloucester – heading into the event celebrating the nation’s servicemen and women
Prince William, wearing a Hackett polo shirt, and the Princess of Wales, wearing a Roman blue dress, appeared together in a video released by Kensington Palace in September
The Prince said his year has been ‘dreadful’ adding: ‘It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.’ (Pictured L-R: Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte and Prince George)
Kate attended the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on November 12, 2023
William and Kate at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on November 11, 2023
Hosted by Adrian Lester, several British music icons will take to the stage to honour the servicemen and women, including Sir Tom Jones, Alexandra Burke, Jack Savoretti and many more.
However the Queen will be noticeably absent from both tonight’s event as well as the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph after becoming unwell with a ‘seasonal chest infection’.
A Palace spokesperson confirmed earlier today: ‘Following doctors’ guidance to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection, and to protect others from any potential risk, Her Majesty will not attend this weekend’s Remembrance events.
‘While this is a source of great disappointment to The Queen, she will mark the occasion privately at home and hopes to return to public duties early next week.’
It is understood there is no cause for alarm, and no downturn in her condition. The Queen is said to be mindful of minimising the risk of passing any last lingering infection to others.
Princess Catherine who is recovering from cancer and King Charles, who is still having ongoing treatment for cancer, are both attending this weekend’s Remembrance events
Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday that the Queen, who has just completed a mammoth tour of Australia and Samoa with King Charles, was cancelling her forthcoming engagements due to a chest infection.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said at the time: ‘Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London
The Prime Minister and his wife are all smiles as they enter the Royal Albert Hall tonight
Catherine, the Princess of Wales (pictured) revealed earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer
According to Prince William, ‘from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal’
Queen Camilla pictured alongside the Princess of Wales during the National Service Of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in 2023
Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday that the Queen (pictured) was cancelling her forthcoming engagements due to a chest infection.
The Queen has just completed a mammoth tour of Australia and Samoa with King Charles. The couple are pictured smiling together during a visit to a beach in Apia, Samoa
Camilla is resting at home in Wiltshire after falling ill following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa
‘With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal.
‘She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.’
The 77-year-old royal is understood to be recovering at home in Wiltshire and is being monitored by doctors.
Camilla’s condition meant that she had to reluctantly withdraw from the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday; with the Duchess of Gloucester, 78, standing in for her.
The Queen also had to cancel an appearance at a reception at Buckingham Palace honouring the nation’s Olympic and Paralympic stars the very same day.
Camilla is anticipated to return to work as soon as next week and is set to host a reception for authors shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize at Clarence House.
She is also expected to attend the glitzy global premiere of Gladiator II at the Royal Film Performance in London’s Leicester Square next Wednesday evening.
Buckingham Palace announced the King and Camilla will meet the stars of the blockbuster, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Pedro Pascal, and director Sir Ridley Scott.
The reception marks the centenary of the Film and TV Charity, of which Charles is patron. The events are taking place on the eve of the King’s birthday, with Charles turning 76 next Thursday.
Tomorrow the King alongside other members of the Royal family will attend the annual Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, which is the nation’s chief war memorial dedicated to those who died in World War I and II.
Queen Camilla, 78, is set to return to work as early as next week to host a reception for Booker Prize shortlisted authors
King Charles and Queen Camilla attend a welcome ceremony in Apia, Samoa, on October 24
Queen Camilla waves while boarding an Royal Australian Air Force plane ahead of departing from Faleolo Airport in Samoa after the royal visit to Australia and Samoa on October 26
The Duchess of Gloucester pauses during a visit to the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday. She stepped in for Queen Camilla who fell ill with a chest infection
The Royal Navy prepare for Sunday at HMS Excellent training base in Hampshire on Tuesday
The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London on November 12, 2023
His Majesty is expected to lay a wreath designed to pay homage to his grandfather King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
The wreath of poppies will be placed on a bed of black leaves, bearing the monarch’s racing colours of scarlet, purple and gold – as is traditional for a Sovereign.
Queen Camilla’s wreath, which also bears her racing colours inherited from her grandfather and inspired by the Queen Mother, will be placed on her behalf by an Equerry from the Royal Household. Both wreathes were made by the Poppy Factory.
Prince William will lay the wreath previously placed by King Charles II, featuring the Prince of Wales feathers and a new ribbon in Welsh red.
Closing off the Remembrance weekend events, Prince Philip, will attend an Armistice Service at the National Memorial Arboretum on Monday.
After the service, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh will place a wreath at the Memorial and is set to take to the stage for an Armistice Day Service reading. The events will conclude with a tour of the Arboretum.
