The Prince and Princess of Wales marked the one-year anniversary of the Queen's passing with a poignant visit to Wales.
The couple began the day with a private service at St. Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire before spending time with people who met the late Queen over the years.
This morning, Kensington Palace tweeted: "We all miss you", signed "W&C".
It marks William and Kate's first joint engagement since they began their summer break after the Wimbledon finals in mid-July. It's understood the family spent a great deal of the summer at Anmer Hall, their Norfolk home, before visiting Balmoral. It's not known if the family continued their relatively new tradition of spending a week in Cornwall or possibly enjoyed time abroad. George, Charlotte and Louis returned to Lambrook earlier this week, with the family back at their Windsor home, Adelaide Cottage. One imagines a decision will soon be taken regarding a more permanent arrangement. There's been a variety of reports suggesting William was very keen on Prince Andrew's palatial residence, Royal Lodge, though it's understood his uncle is unwilling to acquiesce and downsize. The other option is a spacious apartment in Windsor Castle; however, privacy concerns may arise due to the castle's popularity as a visitor attraction in the area. There's also the looming question surrounding the possibility of opening some royal residences to the public on a greater scale, so I presume it remains very much up in the air. For the time being, it looks like Adelaide Cottage (very much as Kensington Palace previously did) is serving as a term-time home.
It comes as His Majesty marked the milestone with a heartfelt message: "In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us. I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all".
In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 7, 2023
I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during… pic.twitter.com/NfM6LDWTA0
The King chose a previously unreleased photograph of his mother, taken in 1968, by Cecil Beaton at Buckingham Palace. Her late Majesty wore her Garter cloak and Vladimir tiara.
If I'm not mistaken, it marked the last occasion the photographer officially captured images of the Queen. Both QEII and her mother were dearly fond of Beaton, and he was commissioned for many significant events, including the wedding of Elizabeth and Philip and later the coronation.
In Cecil Beaton's published diaries, he remarked on the set of images (in late 1968):
'The morning papers all published my new photographs of the Queen wearing a naval boat cloak. As these were quite different from any that I had taken of her before, they caused a stir and were incidentally good publicity for my exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, a collection of about six hundred of my photographs taken over the last forty years. It has been an amazing success and seems to have been enjoyed by old and young alike.'
Indeed, the image released last night was actually briefly featured in Beaton's 1968 exhibition. It was historic in itself - the first retrospective of a living photographer in a British museum. The photographer once remarked of the Queen "Her unique legacy has made her a person apart". A sentiment many of us share and are reminded of today.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are spending the day in "quiet reflection" at Balmoral. They began the day with prayers at Crathie Kirk and greeted members of the public. They were joined by Princess Margaret's daughter Lady Sarah Chatto and her family. The Telegraph reports the King, "deeply religious", will "spend time in private prayer", with his wife by his side. The King's siblings are also marking the day privately. Prince Harry and other members of the family paid their respects at St George's Chapel, Windsor.
The Mirror reports on the background behind-the-visit:
'A source said: “It will be an emotional day for all the royal family, as well as many people across Britain, recognising this date. “But of course for others it will be just another day and life goes on.”
Royal sources suggested William and Kate chose to be in Wales, as they had only been three times in the last year and the Queen had a unique connection with St David's Cathedral'.
More on the significance of the picturesque cathedral from St. Davids official website: "Set on a spectacular Pembrokeshire peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic upon the site of an earlier sixth-century monastery built by St David, the patron saint of Wales, St Davids Cathedral has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for more than 800 years. Today this splendid building erected to the glory of God remains a vibrant, living church offering a place of peace for prayer and devotion".
300,000 people visit each year, from Wales and all over the globe.
The cathedral is steeped in royal history.
One of the Quire Stalls (named the Sovereign's Stall) has been in possession of the crown for centuries. As Sovereign, she held the First Canon Cursal Stall in the Quire among the Cathedral Chapter, and she took her place there on some of her four visits to the Cathedral. Queen Elizabeth II was also the first monarch to visit the Cathedral since the Reformation. Below, the Queen and Prince Philip visiting in 1955.
In June 1995, the Queen visited St Davids to grant the town city status.
More from Bluestone Wales:
'In 1995 the Queen visited St. David’s in order to formally grant it city status. Originally a city since the 12th century, St. David’s lost its status in 1888 due to changes in borough organisation. Just over a hundred years on the town council began the process of reinstating this status to align with the 40th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation. It wasn’t until 1994 however that via the Queen’s request, city status was once again granted. Citing the important Christian heritage of the area as well as St. David’s prior status as a city, the Queen arrived the following year on June 1st, 1995 to formally grant the city its status'.
Following the Queen's passing Dean of St Davids, Sarah Rowland Jones LVO OBE, reflected on Her late Majesty's faith:
'As some of you know, as a member of Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service for 15 years before ordination, I was part of the team in the British Embassy in Budapest that organised her State Visit to Hungary in 1993. We were asked to provide opportunity for her not only to visit a place of Christian worship, but to have time there to pause and pray. So we took her to a glorious baroque Cathedral in Kecskemét, south of Budapest. After she had met the Bishop and Dean, and discussed the wonderful rococo interior, and also the challenges of living as Christians under communism, everyone else withdrew, and she took her seat in a pew near the front.
I remember standing at the back of the Cathedral watching this small seated figure, profoundly still. It seemed that she was utterly rooted and grounded in her praying. I came to wonder if somehow, knowing that her ultimate identity was the being she was, held in the palm of the hand of her creator, gave her a freedom to sit a little lighter to the weighty responsibilities of state that history and fate had laid upon her.
She alone was Queen – no-one else could wear the crown for her – but she knew she did not bear this calling alone. God was with her. More than that, she was also conscious of how her calling was woven with the lives of those over whom she was set to reign, whom she was called to serve'.
The Prince and Princess take in the architecture.
A beautiful portrait inside the Cathedral.
The Prince laid white roses.
William and Kate had a moment of reflection before the ten-minute service commenced.
Outside, the couple were greeted with a lovely welcome from locals.
Kate was inundated with requests for selfies and gladly obliged.
'Speaking to media after the service, the Very Rev. Dr. Sarah Rowland Jones, spoke movingly about the emotions that the Prince and Princess displayed when they paid tribute to the late Queen.
"I was struck that they spent quite a time as they laid the flowers," she shared. "In many ways our job is to give them the space for their remembering, because even if we had fleeting encounters with Her Late Majesty, none of us are part of that immediate family. It's not for us to really question what they were going through, but to give them the space to do whatever they needed to do."
Some well-wishers had fond memories of the Queen's visits over the decades.
The Mail Online reports: "Outside the cathedral, she then met local flying instructor Patricia Mawuli Porter OBE who spoke of the Queen's warmth. And the Princess told her: 'We all have wonderful memories of her, we have to hold on to them, cherish them."
A goodbye wave following a very poignant visit.
Sky News streamed the event with over an hour of footage.
The Princess was elegant in burgundy.
Kate wore the Eponine London coat she debuted for Together at Christmas in December 2022.
Kate wore her Gianvito Rossi 105 suede pumps in burgundy suede.
And carried her Mulberry Bayswater clutch in cranberry suede.
In a very fitting tribute, Kate accessorised with the Queen's diamond and pearl earrings.
Kate's matching hat is by Sahar Millinery (a new designer for the Princess). What Kate Wore notes the London based milliner, Sahar Freemantle, is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust. Her designs have featured in Downton Abbey and worn by well-known faces including Ellie Goulding and Katy Perry.
More on the background of the brand:
'Sahar is a QEST* scholar, and has a BaHons in Performance Costume from Edinburgh College of Art. She uses traditional millinery methods in her handmade hats, which have great shapes, compliment the wearer, and are comfortable to wear.
‘A good practice of traditional millinery is our springboard from which we dive with electrified tenacity into an arena of playfulness; exploring a vast ocean of ideas, creating new techniques, making happy accidents, getting messy, experimenting with materials, basking in failures, dancing with new designs, and flowing in freedom and fun’
When excellent craftsmanship merges with playful curiosity, what emerges is a fresh embodiment of British eccentricity.
Sahar’s studio is a wonderland of curiosities in the heart of her favourite city – London. Here we find mounted skulls, butterfly wings, and framed accidents, which she calls ‘glorious failures’ -amongst a plethora of hats and headpieces ready to be tried on'.
A visit to the millinery studio is a treat for anyone, and has been described as ‘like being a sweet shop, you want to try everything, and never want to leave’.
The Prince and Princes have additional engagements in South Wales today. I'll be back with a separate post covering them.
I think she is dressed to perfection for the occasion. I like that colour on her. The style, cut and fit just perfect. A nice simple gesture of remembrance by wearing the late Queens earrings. They are beautiful pearls. Someone asked earlier why is she wearing a winter coat. I'm wondering how she managed to look so cool. We are in the middle of a heatwave this side of the world. 29 degree's today in Wales. The flowers she placed in front of the Queen's picture were beautiful. It was lovely to see such large crowds turning up to support The Prince and Princess of Wales and remember the Queen. She truly was a remarkable Woman. S.🙂.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure they had the AirCon on full blast in the car and the church will be rather cool as well. So she probably wasn’t too warm for a long time.
DeleteGood point but to step out in a long coat and hat in that heat, I was expecting a light dress in a dark colour. It doesn't matter because she looked fantastic. I thought she looked very polished and regal today. S.🙂.
DeleteI love this whole look. Simple, elegant and just a simple pair of memorable earrings. Glad it was a rewear so the focus remained on Queen Elizabeth’s legacy. thank you for the informative post! Sue from IL
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good point about it being a rewear today. It looked a lot more formal with that beautiful hat. I think everyone in the Royal family would want the focus to be on the late Queen today. Remembering her amazing life and legacy. S.🙂.
DeleteSue I agree…this is just lovely. I actually like it more this time around. Love the color and the hat!! 😍
DeleteJoanne in CA
I agree 100%! Elegant and dignified. Zora from Prague
DeleteLoved her look. It was also the same color HM wore when she visited the same church.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture of Queen Elizabeth, and one that we haven’t seen before.
ReplyDeleteThe Princess looks lovely, and appropriately attired for today’s solemn occasion. The year just flew by.
She looks perfect. Very classically Kate and very classically royal. I'm so looking forward to them getting back into the swing of things.
ReplyDeleteKate looked beautiful, I was wondering why she wore a warmer coat dress in early September.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice that they went to Wales to honor the one year anniversary of the Queen's passing.
Great seeing W&K back doing engagements after their summer holiday.
She and William look wonderful. Love her outfit, the hat is not my favorite. With regards to their home, maybe they will just stay where they are? There does not seem to be a good option if they want more space. Ali
ReplyDeleteUn punto di riferimento.
ReplyDeleteUn'icona per il mondo intero.
Eterna Regina.
#QueenElizabethII
I have never bought into the idea that Adelaide Cottage is such a temporary home as the media suggested.
ReplyDeleteThe move to Windsor was no rushed decision and there was a number of properties that they could have chosen. And while it wasn’t public knowledge it seems certain that the Queen’s close circle knew that it was unlikely that she would return from Balmoral after the summer.
So while they will move eventually I think Adelaide Cottage is exactly where they want to be at this moment.
I couldn't agree more. We all know from following this couple, they never act in haste. Everything thing they do is well thought out and planned in advance. It's a large cottage. Perfect for a family of 5. There are other properties on the Windsor estate besides the one that the uncle lives in. Fort Belvedere is stunning. The man who leased it died two years ago. Family still have the lease. Someone was renting the house that the late Queen gave the couple at Sandringham and lease was bought back. Then if they wanted something bigger, there is Frogmore house which is empty at the moment. When you consider they have a very large country house. They also have a wing of a palace. I would think where they are living they are very happy with S.🙂.
DeleteCompletely agree Rachel ZA and Anon. I think Adelaide cottage was well thought out and suits their family fine at this stage.
DeleteWhat a lovely and touching engagement. Charlotte, this post was one of your finest ever; I so enjoyed the history of the setting and the Church and quotes you shared. The Queen was truly a remarkable person. I don’t think the world will see the likes of her again.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post indeed, honouring Her Late Majesty. Thank you for including the words of Dean Sarah Rowland Jones, Charlotte! They were so touching and so well-chosen for today's anniversary. The Queen was truly a woman of faith. Zora from Prague
DeleteAlways elegant, always appropriate - lovely Catherine
ReplyDeleteI am a massive fan of nice coats and coat dresses. The „royal uniform“ we have grown to expect from the women in the BRF (colour, hat and clutch) works nice for Kate. She could opt for her earlier pieces with a more feminine cut (wider and shorter skirt, more interesting neckline). I get why some think the look is boring, but I do think Kate manages to look gorgeous in those boring looks.
ReplyDeleteIt’s not her best look but I am happy she didn’t bring out something in blue. We had so much blue, I feel I have to scream if I see another one.
C.
Beautiful. So touching to see Catherine lay the flowers. How graceful she is.
ReplyDeleteAs our morning breaks in Australia, these beautiful photos in remembrance of our Queen have been a very emotional time for me. This must have been an incredibly difficult and sad day for all of them, as for many in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth as we grieve together the loss of our wonderful Queen, Mother and Grand Mother. Catherine looked immaculately beautiful - reminiscent in many ways of our young queen, elegant, appropriate and yes, conservative and always with an acknowledgement of the occasion. And, for this sad occasion, wearing her Majesty’s earrings, and a re-wear of a dress from Christmas that was dedicated to the Queens memory. With my absolute respect for others opinions, today our Princess of Wales got it just right, and whilst I love a fashion moment, today was not the day for one.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been so blessed in my life to have been surrounded with a wonderful family, and I was honoured to be married for 36 years to a beautiful husband, the father of my son. We shared a deep affection for our Royal Family, a love of our English & Scottish heritage, and wonderful memories of endless trips to Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England over many, many years. He passed away suddenly on Monday morning, and this week has been immensely sad. There have been moments like this morning when my tears just wouldn’t stop, and I deeply admire how our Royal Family have shown such strength at a time of such personal sadness. This can’t have been easy, and from the moment of her Majesty’s passing, until todays memorial service, they have all been quite remarkable. I’ve been thinking about my husbands service next Tuesday, and I hope I can hold it together for our son. Sending love to you all, Dee - Adelaide, Australia.
Dee, I am so very sorry to hear about your husband. I'm so glad your son has you; I know it's been some very difficult months for your family.
DeleteWishing you peace and love, Dee as you remember your husband.
DeletePlease accept my heartfelt condolences Dee. I cannot begin to express how sorry I am. Please know, the community is here for you and we are all thinking of you and your son. If there is anything I can do, please reach out to me hrhcatherineblog@hotmail.com
DeleteDee, I send you condolences and prayers for peace in your heart as you grieve. I’m sending a big long distance hug to you (((((……))))) because if I met you in person, I would ask if I could.
DeleteThey were late due to the helicopter not being able to land. I like that the Reverend reminded people that the Royals are human and she wanted to give them space. Thank you Charlotte for the photos of St David’s , it’s beautiful .
DeleteDee, you shall remain in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. ❤️... S.🙂.
DeleteDear Dee, for some reason, I thought of you last week. I'm so very sorry about your loss. Please accept my condolences. I send you love and prayers. Zora from Prague
DeleteWe are holding you in our hearts, dear Dee, as you walk through this impossibly sad time in your life. ❤️
DeleteMy condolences and prayers, Dee
DeleteDee - I am so sorry to hear about your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this devastating time.
DeleteOh, Dee... I'm a few days late, but just wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear about the loss of your husband. You've been going through so much with both of your health problems. How hard this must be for you to lose him now. I'll be praying for you, as that's the most I can do from so many miles away. Will be thinking and praying for you and your son, as you plan and go through your husband's service.
Delete@Dee, I was just looking at another blog I follow of the royal family. She had posted this for the anniversary of the Queen's death. Giving you the link for TikTok, if you have it, and the link for the blog--if you scroll down, it's just after the pictures of William and Kate at the church. I've never lost a spouse, but I did lose my mother several years ago, and it was so hard. We lost her to Alzheimer's for years before her death, which made it doubly hard. She was my rock and the one I always turned to for help and advice. I just felt alone in the world when she died, even though I have a wonderful family who were also grieving. I was her youngest and always her "baby" and spent so much time with her as a child. She was a wonderful mother and teacher, and a wonderful example of how to live a good life. When she died, I really did feel as if I was, as this video says, afloat at sea and drowning--in grief. It took several years before I felt somewhat at peace again. https://www.tiktok.com/@lily_of_the__valley/video/7276366421834173728 ---- https://leonisandmurex.tumblr.com/
DeleteThinking of you Dee and sending prayers. My deepest condolences. Sue from IL
DeleteDear Dee so sorry for your loss you have been through a lot lately and I want you to know my thoughts are with you and your son at this very sad time. Sue in WA
DeleteSo sorry to hear this Dee. Yours is always such a sane and kind voice. Wishing you peace and hope your health is improving.
DeleteThat’s not the same coat she wore last year. The neckline and hem are completely different. The color is more purple and less red. I can’t believe she has yet another new coat that’s almost identical to one she wore less than a year ago.
ReplyDeleteI agree it’s a different coat
DeleteIt is the same coat. Look at all the pictures.
DeleteSame coat, different lighting
DeleteA lovely and comprehensive coverage of the event. Good to learn about the history of the place and the Queen's connection with it, as well as today's visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Charlotte.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were an hour late because they were travelling by helicopter and there was fog. I think the most important thing is that they got to the event safely and home to their children at the end of the day. As for it being a last minute photo op, it was announced around the middle of last month that they would be in Wales yesterday. I even put that information up here after i read about it. S.🙂.
ReplyDeleteAgree Gail. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s passing is my Grandma’s birthday. We lost my Grandma in 2014 and she is missed every day. When the Queen passed, I remember thinking that the Royal Family was just like us. In similar fashion, we both have large families, my mom is 1 of 6 children (all married), there were 12 grandchildren - 2 of whom are much younger than the rest (10 out of the 12 are married or in long term relationships) and there are now 21 great-grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteAs we saw glimpses of the personal side and the connection between cousins, aunts, uncles, it became very clear to me that before anything else, they were a family - good, bad and everything in between. They put on their professional image for the public but their personal and professional lives collided that day and I began to see a family, much like my own. A family lost without its guidepost.
We were aware, as I believe the Royal family was too, that while we would miss her here on earth, she was joining her beloved in Heaven and she had missed him so much since his passing.
With the 1st anniversary arriving, I was torn in regards to a public display - I can’t imagine sharing your grandmother with, quite literally, the world. There would be a lot of opinions of what should be done, how it should be acknowledged, but I think the best thing they did, was to follow their heart.
We got to see the public image, they got the personal side of Queen Elizabeth and that is a void that will never be filled. Attending a memorial and then visiting somewhere that was special to the late Queen was the perfect tribute on a very difficult day.
As much as I love fashion, I think Kate hit the perfect mark with her dress selection. While it’s not my favorite, it felt appropriate to me. It was a rewear, it wasn’t flashy and no one would likely be discussing who the designer was. It was lovely but it was boring and that was the perfect place that day for fashion in my opinion.
While the road of grief is long and winding, I know they will get through it because they have each other and regardless of anything else, that is who they need and who I’m sure, she would want them to have.
Thank you for sharing and for your thoughtful comment, Alaina! 💙 Zora from Prague
DeleteWhat a lovely and touching engagement and very nice tribute the late queen in her work
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ensemble, the Princess looked stunning.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by the colour choice rather wintery for the season, but I think she was not in mourning black so burgandy a good choice. She looks very elegant, and I like all the accessories chosen even though it goes against my thoughts on an all-matching outfit. The Queens pearls a beautiful choice. Sue in WA
ReplyDelete