Kate Middleton paid a subtle tribute to Princess Diana during her first official appearance after finishing her chemotherapy treatments, marking two touching moments of remembrance.
After honoring the late Princess of Wales—who tragically passed away at the age of 36 on August 31, 1997—on November 9 at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, Kate again paid tribute to Diana on November 10, Remembrance Sunday, at the war memorial The Cenotaph in London. For this occasion, Kate wore a black Catherine Walker dress in military style with a velvet bow, accented shoulders, and the traditional three poppies pinned to her lapel. This was a poignant gesture to honor the three brothers of her great-grandmother who lost their lives in World War I.
On November 9, the Princess of Wales wore a pair of pearl earrings from Collingwood, which once belonged to her husband’s mother. She also wore the sapphire and diamond engagement ring that once belonged to Diana, a ring Kate has worn periodically throughout 2024.
On November 10, Kate once again honored Diana by wearing a black look from designer Catherine Walker & Co, a favorite designer of the late Princess of Wales.
Diana’s beloved designer was also her friend, with whom she collaborated from the early years of her royal life, including during her 1983 Australian tour with Prince Charles and Prince William, until the tragic end of her life in 1997.
Kate Middleton’s Tears
Kate Middleton didn’t hide her emotions during the Festival of Remembrance, her first major royal engagement after completing her chemotherapy treatment. On November 9, she attended the official event at the Royal Albert Hall in London, alongside Prince William, King Charles, Princess Anne, and other members of the royal family, to honor the service and sacrifices of military personnel.
The princess appeared to hold back tears during the standing ovation for World War II veterans, as seen in footage shared by The Sun. Later in the evening, the Princess of Wales was visibly moved, seemingly holding her breath during a poignant moment as she stood and applauded the fallen soldiers of World War II, as captured in the same footage.
For Kate, the evening marked an emotional return to public life after months of absence following her cancer diagnosis.
“She’s an essential part of the royal family, a truly important figure both symbolically and in practice as the future queen,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE. “It was good for the world to see her. You can’t say she’s back… but she’s returning.”
