Catherine at the Cenotaph
The Princess of Wales joins the Remembrance Sunday service
How wonderful to see the Princess of Wales joining William, King Charles and other senior members of the Royal Family at the Cenotaph this morning. We delayed sending you this week’s newsletter today so we could bring you the latest news from the Remembrance Sunday service in London’s Whitehall - one of the most important dates on the royal calendar.
The Princess, who is making a gradual return to public duties after her cancer scare and chemotherapy treatment, watched the commemorations with the Duchess of Edinburgh, from the central balcony of the Foreign Office overlooking the Cenotaph. After exchanging smiles and a few words with Sophie, they both stood solemnly as the always emotional and solemn service unfolded. Catherine looked perfectly poised in a netted hat, black coat dress with a velvet bow detail by Catherine Walker & Co, and wearing the late Queen Elizabeth’s diamond and pearl drop earrings.
After the service, there was a touching moment between the pair as they turned to walk back inside the government building, with Sophie placing a reassuring hand on Catherine’s back.
Unfortunately, there was no Queen Camilla on the balcony. She’s still feeling unwell after being diagnosed with a chest infection earlier this week, forcing her to cancel all engagements. We wish her a speedy recovery and hope to see her soon. Nevertheless, it was heartening to see Catherine and Sophie publicly united for the nation’s annual service of remembrance - always a poignant time of reflection.
On Saturday evening, Catherine attended the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, looking chic in a black blazer dress, decorated with a Royal Air Force pin and a poppy, and carrying a Chanel clutch. It’s definitely been an emotional and busy weekend for the royals - who have all been out in force.
The Princess’s next public appearance is scheduled to be her very popular Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey. We can’t wait. Catherine’s charity concert has become a much-loved event signalling the start of the festive holidays.
William opens up about his “brutal year”
It’s been all-eyes on Prince William this week, as he travelled to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize. And whilst there, he opened up about the “brutal” and “hardest year of his life”. Speaking to reporters at the end of his visit, the 42-year-old said, “Honestly? It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
Like his father, he said the only way he could cope was to “crack on” and keep working. “I enjoy my work and I enjoy pacing myself and keeping sure that I have got time for my family too,” he said.
Finally, on a sweet note, he said his beard made Princess Charlotte cry. “Charlotte didn’t like it... I got floods of tears the first time I got the beard so I had to shave it off. And then I grew it back. I thought, hang on a second and convinced her it was going to be OK.” Sorry, but we’re with Charlotte on this one… Maybe a Remington Style for Christmas?
Happy birthday, Your Majesty
It’s the King’s birthday this week and Charles acknowledged his “advancing years” ahead of him turning 76 on Thursday. In a letter to the Military Wives Choirs (see above) for their single November Sunday, dedicated to him, Charles said he was, “deeply touched by your wonderfully thoughtful tribute”. He added, “While those of us of a certain age may feel the need for any such birthday celebrations is in inverse proportion to our advancing years, I am nonetheless deeply touched by your wonderfully thoughtful tribute.”
Happy 21st, Lady Louise!
You wait for one royal birthday to come along and two turn up less than a week apart. This time round it was the turn of Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, daughter of Sophie and Edward, who celebrated her big day on Friday up in St Andrews, where she is a third year English student.
Happily, Louise has another reason to celebrate too. Just like her cousin William, who found love with Catherine while they were both at St Andrews, it seems she has fallen head over heels for a fellow student. They look so sweet together and he’s called Felix da Silva-Clamp. The 20 year old has even passed the meet-the-royal-parents test. This summer he was at Sandringham, cheering on Louise as she competed in a carriage driving event, a passion she picked up from her beloved grandfather, Philip.
Meanwhile, let’s hope this student romance is as happy as William and Catherine’s!
The truth about poor Prince John
If you haven’t listened to our podcast, Secrets of the Royals, yet, check out episode three about the sorry tale of poor Prince John. The younger brother to Edward VIII and George VI, he died in Sandringham aged 13. Much was made of his family’s “cruelty” – but how much of that narrative is true? We took a deep-dive into the story. Listen here on Substack, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.