In a significant and moving moment, Prince George made his first appearance at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on Saturday evening, standing alongside the King, Queen, and the Princess of Wales to honour the nation's veterans.
The young prince paid a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who have lost their lives in conflict, marking a poignant step in his royal duties. The event, held at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall, saw the crowd rise to its feet as the royal family entered to a resounding fanfare played by trumpeters before taking their places in the royal box.
A Night of Royal Observance
Seated beside his mother, the Princess of Wales, Prince George was an attentive participant throughout the evening. Kate, wearing a sophisticated black dress by Alessandra Rich with a distinctive white collar, accessorised with an HMS Glasgow brooch and earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Observers noted the Princess chatting and pointing out elements of the ceremony to her son, who watched intently during the emotional segments. The programme featured powerful videos of veterans sharing their personal experiences and paying homage to fallen comrades, which held the young prince's focus, though he was seen shuffling slightly in his seat between performances.
Kate's attire included a particularly meaningful detail: a handmade poppy created from silk, glass and other natural materials by Izzy Ager of Lock and Co, a recent graduate of the Royal School of Needlework.
Commemorating Significant Anniversaries
This year's festival carried profound historical significance, commemorating two major milestones. The event marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War while simultaneously celebrating the 25th anniversary of the UK Government lifting the ban on gay, lesbian and bisexual personnel serving openly in the armed forces, with reflections on past discriminations.
The royal family was joined by other notable figures, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria, who were seated in an adjacent box. The evening's host, Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, captivated the audience while wearing a long purple dress and a poppy, performing the wartime classic 'We'll Meet Again' and sharing stories of her grandfather's military service.
The entertainment lineup featured stellar performances from music legends including Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder, and Keala Settle, accompanied by musical contributions from the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires, and the Band of HM Royal Marines.
A Solemn Tribute to Service
One of the evening's most stirring moments occurred when the royal family stood and applauded as the Chelsea Pensioners, resplendent in their distinctive red uniforms, entered the auditorium and marched across the stage to an orchestral rendition of 'The Boys Of The Old Brigade'.
Among the veterans in attendance were individuals with remarkable stories of service, including those who had helped plan D-Day, former prisoners of war, and survivors of direct hits at sea. Their presence added a deeply personal dimension to the commemorations.
As the event concluded, King Charles smiled and waved to the audience while departing the royal box, following the crowd's rendition of the national anthem. The Prince of Wales was notably absent as he was returning from the Cop30 UN Climate Change summit in Belem, Brazil.
The King, who was announced as patron of the Royal British Legion last year, is scheduled to lead the nation in a two-minute silence at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday. The Festival of Remembrance was broadcast on BBC One at 9pm on Saturday, allowing the nation to share in this annual act of collective remembrance.
