Kate Middleton's Festival of Remembrance Look Featured Deeper Meaning: Inside Her Style

Mar. 15, 2025

Kate Middleton arrives at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall in London on Nov. 9, 2024.Photo:CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/AFP via Getty

CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/AFP via Getty

Kate Middletonmade a subtle fashion statement at herfirst major royal eventafter completing chemo.On Nov. 9, the Princess of Wales, 42, joinedPrince William,King Charlesand other members of the royal family for the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall in London. Continuing tradition, the royals came together to support the Royal British Legion’s annual event commemorating the service and sacrifices of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces service personnel.This year, the festival highlighted the contributions of the World War II generation during the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, as well as more recent military milestones. The outing was also Princess Kate’s first official royal event after she announced on Sept. 9 that she completedchemotherapy treatment, and she may have sent a message with what she was wearing.In typical style for the solemn service, Princess Kate conveyed consistency and wore all black as a gesture of respect. She paired a tailored dress with coordinating hose and heels, plus a quilted clutch. Her side-parted wavy hairstyle let a special accessory shine — what appeared to be the Collingwood pearl earrings that previously belonged toPrincess Diana.Kate Middleton and Prince William arrive at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 9, 2024.CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/AFP via GettyThe Princess of Wales completed the look with another piece already in her jewelry box — her Nura pearl necklace from British brand Monica Vinader — as well as a symbolic poppy with herFleet Air Arm brooch. Princess Katewas announcedas Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm in 2023 and wore the golden winged pin with her poppy on Remembrance Sunday.She also sported her iconic sapphire engagement ring, switching it up again this year. Princess Kate has been spotted with and without the iconic sparkler that previously belonged to her late mother-in-law this year, and didn’t include it in thesparkling ring stackspotted on her left ring finger in the video she issued to announce that she completed chemotherapy.In recent years, the Princess of Wales has seemingly had a go-to uniform for the Festival of Remembrance. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, Princess Kate wore a long black dress with her hair down, a poppy pin and meaningful pearl jewelry.(Left) Kate Middleton at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 11, 2023; (Middle) Kate Middleton at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 12, 2022 (Right) Kate Middleton at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 13, 2021.Chris Jackson/Getty; Chris Radburn/WPA Pool/Getty; GEOFF PUGH/POOL/AFP/GettyEvery November, the British royals are known to sportred poppy pinsin honor of Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, which is also called Armistice Day and popularly known as Veteran’s Day in the U.S. Since 1921, the poppy has been used to commemorate military members who have died in wars, and the red flower is closely associated with British and Commonwealth countries for Remembrance on Nov. 11.For the Festival of Remembrance in November 2023, Princess Kate accessorized in an especially sentimental way, wearing the lateQueen Elizabeth’sthree-strand pearl necklaceand diamond and pearl earrings.In 2022, the Princess of Wales also poignantly wore the late Queen’s jewelry to the Remembrance event, paying homage to her late grandmother-in-law following her death just a few months before at age 96. Two years ago, Princess Kateaccessorized withthe Bahrain pearl drop earrings and four-strand pearl choker with a diamond clasp at center —the same combinationshe wore for Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral and committal service that September.In 2021, Princess Kate — who was then known as the Duchess of Cambridge — wore a sparkly poppy brooch with the Collingwood pearl earrings and a tri-strand pearl bracelet that previously belonged to Princess Diana.Kate Middleton and Prince William at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 9, 2024.CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/AFP via GettyCan’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!Style insider Bethan Holt previously told PEOPLE why it was significant that Princess Kateshook up her styleafter becoming the Princess of Wales, from tailored suits to brighter hues and bolder jewelry.“I think this is her power moment — she’s easing into the Princess of Wales role and that promotion that she’s had in such a beautiful way,” Holt, the fashion director at theDaily Telegraph, told PEOPLE in 2023. “She’s got this big new title, and she’s dressing for that job.”

Kate Middletonmade a subtle fashion statement at herfirst major royal eventafter completing chemo.

On Nov. 9, the Princess of Wales, 42, joinedPrince William,King Charlesand other members of the royal family for the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall in London. Continuing tradition, the royals came together to support the Royal British Legion’s annual event commemorating the service and sacrifices of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces service personnel.

This year, the festival highlighted the contributions of the World War II generation during the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, as well as more recent military milestones. The outing was also Princess Kate’s first official royal event after she announced on Sept. 9 that she completedchemotherapy treatment, and she may have sent a message with what she was wearing.

In typical style for the solemn service, Princess Kate conveyed consistency and wore all black as a gesture of respect. She paired a tailored dress with coordinating hose and heels, plus a quilted clutch. Her side-parted wavy hairstyle let a special accessory shine — what appeared to be the Collingwood pearl earrings that previously belonged toPrincess Diana.

Kate Middleton and Prince William arrive at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 9, 2024.CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/AFP via Getty

The Princess of Wales completed the look with another piece already in her jewelry box — her Nura pearl necklace from British brand Monica Vinader — as well as a symbolic poppy with herFleet Air Arm brooch. Princess Katewas announcedas Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm in 2023 and wore the golden winged pin with her poppy on Remembrance Sunday.

She also sported her iconic sapphire engagement ring, switching it up again this year. Princess Kate has been spotted with and without the iconic sparkler that previously belonged to her late mother-in-law this year, and didn’t include it in thesparkling ring stackspotted on her left ring finger in the video she issued to announce that she completed chemotherapy.

In recent years, the Princess of Wales has seemingly had a go-to uniform for the Festival of Remembrance. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, Princess Kate wore a long black dress with her hair down, a poppy pin and meaningful pearl jewelry.

(Left) Kate Middleton at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 11, 2023; (Middle) Kate Middleton at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 12, 2022 (Right) Kate Middleton at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 13, 2021.Chris Jackson/Getty; Chris Radburn/WPA Pool/Getty; GEOFF PUGH/POOL/AFP/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty; Chris Radburn/WPA Pool/Getty; GEOFF PUGH/POOL/AFP/Getty

Every November, the British royals are known to sportred poppy pinsin honor of Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, which is also called Armistice Day and popularly known as Veteran’s Day in the U.S. Since 1921, the poppy has been used to commemorate military members who have died in wars, and the red flower is closely associated with British and Commonwealth countries for Remembrance on Nov. 11.

For the Festival of Remembrance in November 2023, Princess Kate accessorized in an especially sentimental way, wearing the lateQueen Elizabeth’sthree-strand pearl necklaceand diamond and pearl earrings.

In 2022, the Princess of Wales also poignantly wore the late Queen’s jewelry to the Remembrance event, paying homage to her late grandmother-in-law following her death just a few months before at age 96. Two years ago, Princess Kateaccessorized withthe Bahrain pearl drop earrings and four-strand pearl choker with a diamond clasp at center —the same combinationshe wore for Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral and committal service that September.

In 2021, Princess Kate — who was then known as the Duchess of Cambridge — wore a sparkly poppy brooch with the Collingwood pearl earrings and a tri-strand pearl bracelet that previously belonged to Princess Diana.

Kate Middleton and Prince William at the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 9, 2024.CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/AFP via Getty

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Style insider Bethan Holt previously told PEOPLE why it was significant that Princess Kateshook up her styleafter becoming the Princess of Wales, from tailored suits to brighter hues and bolder jewelry.

“I think this is her power moment — she’s easing into the Princess of Wales role and that promotion that she’s had in such a beautiful way,” Holt, the fashion director at theDaily Telegraph, told PEOPLE in 2023. “She’s got this big new title, and she’s dressing for that job.”

source: people.com