Prince George, 12, Joins Mom Kate Middleton in Surprise First Appearance at Festival of Remembrance

Kate Middleton continued a cherished royal tradition on Saturday, Nov. 8, joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family for the Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. At her side was her eldest son, Prince George, making his debut at the solemn event.

Prince William was notably absent as he traveled back to the U.K. from Brazil following the Earthshot Prize Awards. He is expected to reunite with his family in time for Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph on Nov. 9.

This year’s festival, honoring fallen soldiers from the U.K. and the Commonwealth, held special significance as it marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Princess of Wales, 43, has long been a fixture at the annual event, even attending last year while undergoing cancer treatment. She announced her remission in January 2025.

A Poignant Appearance by Prince George

Prince George, 12, attended the festival for the first time, following an earlier milestone in May when he joined his parents at a Buckingham Palace tea party hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla for veterans of World War II.

Symbolism and Style

In keeping with Remembrance tradition, Princess Kate and Prince George wore dark attire accented with red poppy pins — the emblem of remembrance inspired by John McCrae’s 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poppy has been worn since 1921 to honor those who lost their lives in war.

The Princess chose a black Alessandra Rich dress with a white lace statement collar, accessorized with Queen Elizabeth’s pearl and diamond earrings and a brooch bearing the insignia of HMS Glasgow, the Royal Navy ship she christened in May.

Upcoming Royal Observances

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Princess Kate will observe Armistice Day at the National Memorial Arboretum, participating in a two-minute silence at 11 a.m. and laying a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial. Meanwhile, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William will attend a veterans’ reception at Windsor Castle on the same day.

Family and Future Plans

Recent weeks have seen the royal couple step back from public duties to spend quality time with their children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — during their school break. The family recently moved into Forest Lodge in Windsor, their new long-term home, where they plan to remain even when Prince William becomes king.

Prince William’s solo trip to Brazil highlighted his environmental mission, as the Earthshot Prize — his decade-long initiative to reward sustainability innovations — announced its fifth round of winners.

A Changing Royal Landscape

This year’s Festival of Remembrance also marked the first major royal event since Prince Andrew, 65, was officially stripped of his titles and honors. Buckingham Palace confirmed on Oct. 30 that he would now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and would vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor, relocating to a property on the Sandringham estate privately funded by King Charles.

The Royal British Legion’s annual gathering remains one of the monarchy’s most meaningful traditions — a reflection of service, sacrifice, and remembrance passed down through generations of the royal family.