The Princess of Wales arrives at the Royal Albert Hall tonight. Photo: Getty Image
On Saturday night in London, Kate Middleton made one of her first public appearances since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The Princess of Wales first stepped out in front of the nation for Trooping the Colour in June, before returning fully to public duties last month (after finishing chemotherapy) with a visit to first responders to the fatal knife attack in Southport this summer.
This weekend, the princess will be making her usual pilgrimage to the Cenotaph—the war memorial in the heart of Westminster where the annual Remembrance Sunday service is held—but not before stopping by the Royal Albert Hall the evening prior. This year, she attended the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, a musical tribute to the Armed Forces of Britain and the Commonwealth, wearing a sleek black coat dress pinned with the poppy brooch that has served as a symbol of remembrance since World War One. She also wore Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings, some of the many pieces of jewelry passed down to her from the collection of her late mother-in-law, and a quilted Chanel clutch.
Middleton arrived at the event alongside several other members of the British royal family, including Prince William and King Charles, as well as Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer. Queen Camilla was unable to attend, however, following her diagnosis with a chest infection earlier this week. “While this is a source of great disappointment to the queen, she will mark the occasion privately at home and hopes to return to public duties early next week,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read.
For the event, the Princess of Wales leaned into the grounded style she’s been channeling since announcing her recovery from cancer. To share the news back in September, she released an emotional video with her family wearing a boho, bell-sleeved Veronica Beard dress that telegraphed ease and comfort, while for her appearance in Stockport, she wore a longline coat with a maroon polka-dot blouse that was both elegant and appropriate for the gravity of the event.
And while tonight’s event had a similarly weighty significance, it was clear that Middleton hasn’t lost her love of fashion—even after a remarkably turbulent year.
This article was originally published on Vogue.com.
