The Royal family gathered at the Cenotaph for this morning's Remembrance Sunday ceremonies in London.
For the second time, the new Queen Consort joined the Princess of Wales on the balcony of the Foreign Office in Whitehall.
The pair in conversation before ceremonies began.
King Charles III, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales with former prime ministers David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major in the background.
As the clock struck eleven, a two-minute silence was observed. The silence represents the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 when the guns of Europe fell silent.
The time is marked by the firing of a field gun on Horse Guards Parade.
From GOV.UK: "Every year, the two minute silence for the remembrance service on Whitehall is conducted with military precision. On Horse Guards Parade the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire their First World War guns to mark the start of the silence, and a Corps of Army Music bugler from the Household Division marks its end at precisely the same time that the guns fire again, 120 seconds later."
Queen Elizabeth II laid a wreath every year of her reign until 2017.
Queen Elizabeth II laid a wreath at the Cenotaph almost every year of her reign until 2017, when she asked the then Prince of Wales to do so on her behalf. #RemembranceSunday pic.twitter.com/hUGELxh4Jv
— Majesty/Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) November 13, 2022
William laid a wreath for the second time as Prince of Wales. He wore his Officer’s Cloak of the Blues and Royals, in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
The King lays his wreath.
The Duchess of Edinburgh watches on.
Members of the Royal Air Force lay wreaths.
The royals sing a hymn.
The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is a unique expression of homage devoted to the memory of those who have given their lives in war.
The Princess Royal deservedly had the honour of taking the salute at Horse Guards this year.
Remembrance Sunday was originally conceived as a commemoration of the First World War's dead by King George V in 1919, but after the Second World War the scope of the ceremony was extended to focus on the dead of both wars. Remembrance Day, or Memorial Day, is observed in Commonwealth countries.
The march past is an annual event for British and Commonwealth former military and civilian service personnel, allowing them to honour the fallen of the British Armed Forces.
On the 'eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month' in 1918 the Armistice was signed.
“The greatest day in the world's history. The armistice was signed at 5. a.m. & fighting ceased at 11… & at 11. we went on to the balcony” – Queen Mary writes in her diary on 11 November 1918. The flag below was waved by Queen Mary on Armistice Day.
The Queen and the Princess departing after the ceremony.
The Princess was elegant in her bespoke Catherine Walker military inspired black coat. Kate debuted the piece in 2019.
Kate teamed it with a black Philip Treacy hat she's had for over a decade.
She accessorised with the Queen's diamond and pearl leaf earrings.
Background on the pieces from the incredible Lauren over at The Court Jeweller:
"The earrings appear to be part of the same suite that includes the late monarch’s Diamond and Pearl Leaf Brooch, notably worn by her in South Korea on her birthday in 1999. It’s possible that the earrings are either separate pieces that match the brooch, or two detachable leaves from the brooch itself."
Below, Kate wearing the brooch in Belgium in 2017.
Kate previously visited the Imperial War Museum to learn more about the three brothers of her great-grandmother, all of whom fought and died in the First World War. It's likely the three poppies are in memory of Francis, Maurice and Lionel Lupton. I have no doubt she's thinking of them today -- as are all with a relative who made the ultimate sacrifice.
'When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrows these gave their today.'
- John Maxwell Edmonds
Lest we forget.
Thank you for adding Duchess Sophie to the post. I love the Queen’s hat, it’s a real work of art. The Princess looked polished and perfect.
ReplyDeleteToday I don't much like Kate's look, the coat or the (too big) earrings but loved what Sophie wore. I do like that Kate wore repeats on both days. Obviously fashion is a very frivolous topic on such a serious occasion but it is why I follow the blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Sophie and Kate. I like Sophie’s coat better than Kate and also those earrings are way to big as earrings!
DeleteKate looks stunning. I looked back before the weekend on the various coats that Kate has worn. This Catherine Walker is one of my favorites. I love the shoulders and frogging. The wide brim is hat looks better than the Philip Treacy she wore back in 2019. What a surprise to see these earrings. I do hope they make up a demi-Parure versus are removable earrings that make up the brooch.
ReplyDeleteSophie is beautiful in the Suzannah dress she wore previously honoring HM. Love the hat and accessories.
This black coat is truly perfect and still just as beautiful. I also really like the earrings. In the back photo we can see the back of Kate's bun, quite original. I don't know who is Kate's hairdresser but he or she does a remarkable job.
ReplyDeleteSophie and the Queen are also beautiful, I would have swapped hats between the Queen and Kate. 😅
This might be my favorite Remembrance Sunday outfit ever. Very poignant, meaningful, repeated, it is apparent that great thought was put into the outfit. Especially the nice nod to the Queen.
ReplyDeleteElla
Thank you as always Charlotte for the wonderful post. Even though it's such a somber event, it was nice to see Kate. I must say, she's looking a little tired though. No doubt running after three growing kids and taking more responsibility as POW is adding some strain for her. - EC Anon.
ReplyDeleteAlthough her outfit is perfect, I agree that she looks exhausted. In another series of photos of the event that I saw, she also looked quite angry. I worry about her and wish her all the best.
DeleteOkay but let's be fair. Kate has a lot of help. She has housekeepers to clean and do laundry. She has staff to set up engagements and do all the prep/research for her. All 3 kids are in a private school which is 6 days a week from roughly 9-6. She still has a full-time nanny to help when they are not in school. Even though she is POW now she still only does 1-2 engagements on average each week. That is when she is not on vacation 5-6 months of the year. I agree she looks tired, mostly likely from getting up earlier for this engagement. I just wish people would keep things in perspective and realize she has so much help that the normal things that make most mom's tired she doesn't have. This is coming from a mom. The housekeeper alone would make my life a dream and 10 times easier :). She doesn't even have to worry about doctor's visits. They come to her. Life is much easier so I wish people would remember how well taken care of she is (those are her own words).
DeleteI agree NC. She has a lot of help but I think she also has a lot of pressure that we cannot relate to.
DeleteTotally agree she has so much help with every day things with very minimal engagements .
DeleteIf you look at the court circular upcoming engagements The Princess Royal and Duke and Duchess of Gloucester put the Wales to shame . Yes they have young children but they are all at school full time.
With all due respect - let's be fair, she has a right to be& look tired. Zora from Prague
DeleteI would think stress is more likely than being tired. And think about that not only will everyone see you at your best or at your worst, but the photos remain forever! We don't know any of the decisions/stressors that occur behind the scenes, any issues that we will never know about. I have compassion that for all of her privilege, she does not have total freedom.
DeleteThanks for saying that NC. I agree with you
DeleteI agree Zora, she has the right to be tired. NC, I am a tired mum myself and don't have the help Kate has, but I wouldn't change places with her for the world, housekeeper or not.
DeleteI have watched the video of the ceremony and am amazed at how well she carries herself. Quiet dignity and respect for the occasion. Of course she has a solemn expression.
I agree with you, NC.
DeleteIt really is a very somber event, especially with so much conflicts and wars going on at the moment. Hat and coat dress both nice rewares. The earrings, I just don't know. Was hoping for more comments before I did. I'm thinking would they look better the leaves at the end or like that as drop earrings. Then looking at the pearl, I'm thinking total remake. Something like Princess Margarets pearl earrings. The court jeweler is the fountain of knowledge. I don't think they are leaves removed from the brooch. Wouldn't surprise me if more to that set of jewellery than earrings and a brooch. Always good to see the Duchess of Edinburgh, she looked great. Very interested in knowing more about those earrings and better pictures but for me, the star of the day was the Queen's hat. Work of art. S.🙂.
ReplyDeleteThis whole outfit is one of my favorites. So regal. Love the hat, gloves, and hair. Thanks Charlotte. Looking forward to the State Visit next week. :)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I'm not liking the coat. The coat with the braiding looks too costume-y for my taste and I don't think it works at this solemn occasion although I like the sharp collar and strong shoulder tailoring. Her hat is lovely, I remember her wearing it to Williams flying graduation. I know it would be a huge honour to wear these beautiful jewels that have been handed down from the late Queen but these earring are too large and not suited to day wear in my opinion save them for a glamorous evening outfit, something small and classic would have been something I would have preferred Kate to wear today and by small I mean Royal small which would be much larger than the average person's jewel ; )
ReplyDeleteSue in WA
I was fascinated by the earrings but they do look a little large in the photos. But it's very very nice to see something different.
ReplyDeleteAnd there's something about the photos that make her look like she's suddenly aged greatly since just last week. I think the makeup is too heavy, I've never noticed her wearing false eyelashes before and her eyebrows look so heavy. Maybe the lighting is bad for photos, too. She always looks wonderful in black, so that's not the problem. I'm sure she will be looking like usual at her next event. :)
I like Kate’s hat and repeat coat dress. I think photo filter must have been used for Saturday’s night festival because Kate looks older here. Once again the pageantry here really showcased Britain’s ability for solemn grandeur. It’s so good.
ReplyDeleteI think the difference is in the lightening. Mellow and soft versus gray and harsh
DeleteKate was superb. I really like the hat. The earrings are interesting, but perhaps not the best she has. On the other hand at least they are new. I was hoping to see her in new jewels, she should have acces to those reserved for the Princess of Wales, but it seems she has to make do with what she has. With these earrings and the paired brooch, one gets the impression that the Queen gave them to her because she had not much use for them. I hope one day she will be lent something new by King Charles, a new tiara for the state visit would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sophie's outfit is fantastic. What lovely detailing on her coat & love that hat. Kate looks put together as usual but she really looks tired. Love her coat & her "old" hat also.
ReplyDeleteI like the jacket and hat individually but not together. The hat is a softer look that doesn’t work with the severity of the coat. K does look quite worn out, the ceremonial events must be a strain for her vs the joyful child/sporty events she seems to really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for a lovely post. A very important and solemn day. Lest we forget. Thank you to all the men and women who sacrificed so that we have the life and freedom we have today.
ReplyDeleteI like the coat and hay separately, but together they're maybe a bit heavy. It's two very strong pieces together. Either the hat with a softer styled dress, or the severe dress with a smaller hat might have looked nicer. But it's not awful. She's lovely and poised as usual. Her posture and bearing are always perfect. I wish I looked a fraction that graceful!
ReplyDelete.
I see quite a few comments about Catherine looking older ... she IS 41 after all and not a spring chicken anymore so her face is bound to be looking more mature. Plus this event is a solemn event so her expression is more in repose. When she smiles, it lights up and brightens her expression (as it does for all of us).
ReplyDeleteI actually find it fascinating how the jewelers make pieces multi-functional. A suggestion was made about the brooch being able to be disassembled as earrings. And I know I've seen photographs where tiaras have been used as necklaces and more. I would love to see the mechanics of all that.
Border Terrier lover
I always found that the Princess always looks very sad on occasions like this. I really think they take their roles very seriously, especially all military related events. Some of the work that jeweller's do is amazing. I don't think the earrings are from the brooch. If you can find a good close up of the centre of the brooch, where they meet would be the end of the earrings. They don't match. S.🙂.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte. An incredibly important and poignant rememberance. We should not forget the very many people who gave their lives and service for future generations. It has been a difficult few days in London. All the Royal family looked strained and I would imagine the security concerns were very high. If one thinks about it they and all the other individuals directly involved in the ceremony were all very clear targets.
ReplyDeletealways found that the Princess always looks very sad on occasions like this. they are taking their roles seriously especially all military related events. like these and i agree NC as well
ReplyDelete