Kate Middleton Makes Her Debut at Armistice Day Outing That’s Usually Reserved for Blood Royals

The Princess of Wales commemorated Armistice Day with a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum

Kate Middleton at the National Memorial Arboretum on Armistice Day.Credit :

Kate Middleton is making a special solo outing for Armistice Day.

The Princess of Wales, 43, represented the royal family at a Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum’s Armed Forces Memorial on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Although it was Princess Kate’s debut at the annual event, a member of the British royal family typically attends each year. A blood royal — a member of the family in the line of succession — usually attends rather than a spouse, but Kate isn’t the first royal spouse to represent the monarchy at the service. In addition to blood royals being joined by their spouses over the years, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh — the wife of Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son, Prince Edward — attended the event solo last year.

Kate Middleton at the National Memorial Arboretum on Armistice Day.PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty

Kate joined attendees in observing a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. local time before laying a wreath commemorating those who died in service and all those who have served in the Armed Forces.

A specially commissioned poem by the National Memorial Arboretum’s Poet in Residence, Arji Manuelpillai, was read during the Armistice Day Service. “A Sonnet For Us All” reflects the importance of personal connections, experiences and bonds that are formed through military service, themes close to Princess Kate’s heart.

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After the service, the Princess of Wales viewed the newly dedicated names on the Armed Forces Memorial and met veterans in attendance. She also met a group of secondary school students from military families, whose parents are currently on deployment and took in a special exhibition currently on display at the Arboretum called “Letters from the Frontline — Words, War and Victory.”

Kate Middleton on Armistice Day.Chris Jackson/Getty

Members of the royal family are marking Armistice Day in various ways on Tuesday. King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with other family members, are hosting a Windsor Castle reception for World War II veterans who served in the Pacific and their families in honor of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Meanwhile, Princess Anne is on a visit to Australia with her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, where they will commemorate the day.

Prince William is also appearing in a video message for the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Assembly.

In the video message, the royal heir said, in part, “Through my own military experience, as well as through my work in connection with units across the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, I have seen firsthand the hard work, dedication and duty the Armed Forces carry out to ensure we are protected.”

Kate Middleton on Armistice Day.PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty

“Coming together for Remembrance is a vital way to honor those whose service keeps us safe,” he continued. “Even today, as we continue to face a number of conflicts across the world, we honour those who have gone before us, and those who are serving now. Their memories matter, their lives matter, and they remind us to be respectful, kind, brave, and thoughtful every day.”

Over the weekend, Princess Kate joined the royal family at two events for Remembrance Day. She attended the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall on Saturday with Prince George, marking the 12-year-old royal’s first time at the event. Although Prince William usually attends with his wife, he was traveling back from his visit to Brazil for the Earthshot Prize awards.

Then on Sunday, the royals gathered again for the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph memorial in London. As King Charles, Prince William and Prince Edward laid wreaths at the Cenotaph war memorial on Whitehall in London, Princess Kate, Queen Camilla and Sophie watched on from a nearby balcony.