Kate Middleton undertakes a significant solo engagement for Anzac Day
Kate Middleton stepped out solo this morning for an especially meaningful engagement: observing Anzac Day on behalf of the royal family. Following Princess Anne’s attendance at the Dawn Service in Hyde Park, the Princess of Wales was present at the Parade Service at the Cenotaph, at which she laid a wreath on behalf of her father-in-law King Charles.
Princess of Wales lays a wreath during a service to commemorate ANZAC day at the Cenotaph war memorial.
The inscription on the wreath.
Kate during the wreath-laying ceremony.
She subsequently arrived for the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.
The Princess of Wales arriving at Westminster Abbey.
For the somber day, which commemorates Australian and New Zealanders who served and died in conflicts around the world, Kate wore a navy coat dress with white accents. She accessorized with Princess Diana’s Cabochon sapphire drop earrings, a G. Collins & Sons Tanzanite necklace, and pinned a crimson poppy to her coat, which signifies fallen troops. In past years on Remembrance Sunday, Kate has worn a three poppy pin—which could represent the fact that her great-grandmother had three brothers who died in action during World War I—but today, she opted for just one.
She has attended the Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey twice before, with Prince William in 2022 and with Prince Harry in 2019. This is her first time going to the event solo; last year, the royals were represented by Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and the year prior, it was Prince Edward. In 2018, Harry and Meghan went just before their royal wedding.
Kate attends the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2022.
Kate and Prince Harry attend the ANZAC Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2019.
In 2014, Kate and William were in Australia during Anzac Day; they visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra that day for a service.
The then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, April 25, 2014
Will and Kate walk along the World War I Wall of Remembrance.
Earlier this week, Kate marked the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s birth alongside other senior working royals at Buckingham Palace.
