The Princess of Wales is expected to be among the senior royals taking part in the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph this morning. Unlike King Charles and other Royal Family members who wore a single poppy, Catherine typically wears three poppies as a tribute to those who perished in the World Wars and later conflicts.
A Personal Tribute to Fallen Relatives
While the palace has never formally explained the custom, one hypothesis suggests she wears multiple brooches to commemorate family members who served and died in combat. The princess's great-grandmother lost three brothers, all of whom died in action during World War One.
Various other female royals regularly follow the same custom. The late Queen famously wore a cluster of five poppies at the Cenotaph, which many regarded as her homage to the five service branches, specifically the Army, the Royal Navy and the RAF.
Discovery at the Imperial War Museum
Back in 2018, at an official engagement to London's Imperial War Museum, Kate discovered her own family's link to World War One. The Princess of Wales had the moving opportunity to read heartfelt letters connected to her great-grandmother's three brothers, all of whom fought and perished in the conflict. During the poignant museum visit, Kate also chose to pay tribute to the women who lost their lives during wartime by donning a particularly special poppy.
The female members of the princess's family also played a crucial role in the war effort, with her great-grandmother Olive and her younger sister Anne serving as VAD nurses with the British Red Cross. During her visit, Kate had the opportunity to view Olive's registration card.
She also read a field service postcard from Lieutenant Lionel M Lupton, her great-great uncle, dated 16 July 1916, where he writes: "I am quite well". He was killed in action on the same day, aged just 24.
