LONDON (AP) — King Charles III led a two-minute silence on Sunday in tribute to those who have served the country in different wars, at an event in central London, while Kate Middleton looked on, another sign that the British royal family is slowly returning to normalcy at the end of a year in which two of them were sidelined by cancer.
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Remembrance Day is a landmark event in the UK, led by the monarch and including government representatives such as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his eight predecessors, as well as envoys from Commonwealth countries, to lay wreaths at the Cenotaph, the Portland stone memorial that serves as a focal point for honoring those who have died in the nation's name.
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Why is Remembrance Day commemorated in November?
The service takes place on the second Sunday of November to commemorate the signing of the armistice that ended World War I "at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" in 1918.
After two minutes of silence, the Royal Marines trumpeters played "Last Post," and Carlos led the wreath-laying part of the service. The 75-year-old king, dressed in his Admiral of the Fleet Royal Navy uniform, placed a poppy wreath at the base of the Cenotaph.
Her eldest son and heir to the throne, Prince William, left his own floral tribute.
What was Kate Middleton's role on Remembrance Day?
Dressed in black, Kate Middleton observed from a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, as is tradition. Queen Camilla, who would normally be by the princess's side, was not present as she was recovering from a chest infection.
This is the first time since the beginning of the year that Kate has carried out two consecutive days of public official engagements. On Saturday, she attended the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
After the placement of the wreaths, around 10,000 veterans, including those who have fought in wars of this century, Afghanistan and Iraq, paraded in front of the Cenotaph. There are now only a few veterans left from World War II.
The Princess of Wales wore a black military-style jacket adorned with the three traditional poppies of this day on her lapel. She also paid a moving tribute by wearing elegant diamond and pearl earrings from Bahrain. These jewels, part of the late Queen Elizabeth II's private collection, were also worn by Lady Di in 1982. With this significant gesture, the princess sought to honor the memory of Prince William and Prince Harry's grandmother.
Kate was seen excited, due to the emotional memories of this day and the tough year she has had to live through. The emotional impact on Kate Middleton was so palpable that Sophie of Wessex, Duchess of Edinburgh, approached to console her. With an affectionate gesture, she placed her hand on the princess's back as they left the balcony, showing support and solidarity.
This reaction was a contrast to the relaxation and smiles he exhibited the day before at the Royal Albert Hall.