Kate Middleton marked Armistice Day with a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire this morning.
The Princess of Wales looked elegant in a long black coat and a matching hat as she joined veterans, serving personnel, and families in paying tribute to those who have served and sacrificed in the Armed Forces.
At 11am, the Princess observed the national two-minute silence before laying a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial.
A look at the wreath, and the Princess’s message:
“In Memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifce, we will remember them. Catherine.
The service included a reading of a specially commissioned poem by the Arboretum’s Poet in Residence, Arji Manuelpillai.
The moving piece explored the personal connections and shared experiences that unite the military community—themes close to the Princess’s heart.
The service also included musical performances by Talent in the Ranks and Black Voices.
After, the Princess viewed the newly engraved names on the Armed Forces Memorial.
Here, the Princess met Squadron Leader Beth Long and her two daughters Scarlett and Sophie—the family of the late Squadron Leader Mark Long, who died in a Spitfire crash in May 2024. His name is the most recent to be included on the wall.
The Princess spent a good five minutes chatting with the family before being introduced to Bosnia veteran Johnny Hayes.
The Princess made her way round the memorial before descending the stairs to meet more veterans.
The Princess with Hayley Lawrence, Royal Army Medical Corps Veteran and Steve Cartwright, Royal Engineer Veteran.
Next, the Princess made her way into the Arboretum’s main building. Here, she spoke with secondary school students from military families whose parents are currently on deployment.
The girls handed the Princess a bunch of flowers.
Next, the Princess spent time talking with Second World War veterans and their families, including D-Day veterans Alan Kennett and Geoffrey Spencer, and VE and VJ Day veteran Donald (Bill) Redston.
Today is the first time the Princess has attended the annual Remembrance Day service at the Arboretum.
In previous years, other senior royals have represented the family—the Duchess of Edinburgh attended in 2024, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in 2022, and the Duke of Kent in 2019.
Kate has supported the arboretum before, though—you might remember that she attended a reception in aid of the Arboretum’s fundraiser at St James’s Palace in 2011. A reminder of that event:
The National Memorial Arboretum sits on the edge of the National Forest in Staffordshire and serves as the UK’s year-round centre of remembrance.
Part of the Royal British Legion, it’s home to more than 400 memorials honouring those who have served and sacrificed in the Armed Forces and civilian organisations.
The 150-acre site welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, offering a place to reflect, celebrate lives lived, and remember those lost in service.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what the Princess wore for the service.
Kate’s outfit:
The Princess chose a refined, all-black ensemble for today’s Armistice Day Service.
Her appearance struck exactly the right note for the occasion—respectful, understated and quietly elegant. We’d expect nothing less!
Let’s begin by looking at her long black coat. It was designed by Catherine Walker & Co., one of her go-to labels for formal occasions.
She first wore the piece at the National Service of Remembrance in 2019 (left) and repeated at the same event in 2023 (right).
It’s a striking design with a distinctly military-inspired aesthetic, complete with a high collar, zip-up front, and intricate frogging detail finished with tassels and corded braiding.
Today’s engagement offered a full-length look at the coatdress for the first time, revealing its impressive cut and regal silhouette. Isn’t it gorgeous?
The military-inspired detailing, long lines and tailored structure gave the ensemble a polished, statuesque quality that felt perfectly suited to the surroundings of the Armed Forces Memorial.
Kate often chooses military-inspired pieces for engagements with the Armed Forces—a subtle yet thoughtful nod to those she’s honouring. If you fancy some related reading, take a look at my post rounding up some of her most striking military-style looks from the past 14 years:
Back to today’s ensemble. On her feet, the Princess wore a pair of black suede boots featuring a block heel and a softly pointed toe.
They’re by Italian designer Gianvito Rossi, one of the Princess’s most-worn footwear labels.
I thought the pointed toe poking out from the long coatdress looked very sleek.
Some time ago, Gianvito Rossi confirmed to another blogger that the boots were specially commissioned for the Princess.
They closely resemble the brand’s off-the-rack Glen boot, though Kate’s version has a sharper toe. (The Glen has a rounded toe.)
This is the sixth time we’ve seen the Princess wear the boots in public; she debuted the design during a visit to South Wales in February 2023.
She also owns the same design in navy suede and brown suede too—clear proof they’re a wardrobe staple.
Want to buy the ‘Glen’ boots? You’re in luck. The 85mm suede knee-high boots are currently available to buy on the designer’s website for £1,465 in the UK and $1,895 in the US. You can also find them on Farfetch, priced at £1,672 in the UK and $1,695 in the US, with most sizes still in stock. (Both offer worldwide shipping. Do check things like customs fees and delivery fees though, if planning to buy.)
Kate is clearly a fan of Gianvito Rossi footwear. At last count, the Princess owned an impressive 23 pairs from the Italian designer, including 19 pairs of heels and four pairs of boots.
Gianvito Rossi founded his namesake luxury footwear brand in 2006—fashion fans will recognise that he’s the son of legendary shoe designer Sergio Rossi. The company is based in San Mauro Pascoli, Italy.
Let’s look at Kate’s gloves now. They’re by Cornelia James, the Alice style in black merino wool.
The elegant wrist-length design features a soft velvet side bow and matching velvet fourchettes along the fingers.
Each pair is crafted from pure Australian merino wool in Sussex, England.
If you’d like a pair to keep you cosy this winter, the ‘Alice’ gloves retail on the company’s website for £136.
Cornelia James is Kate’s glove maker of choice. Over the years, the Princess has worn at least seven different designs by the heritage British brand.
The label holds a Royal Warrant and has supplied gloves to the Royal Family since the 1940s, when Cornelia James herself first created pieces for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Now run by Cornelia’s daughter Genevieve James, the Sussex-based company continues to handcraft its gloves in England using fine materials like merino wool, cashmere and pure cotton. Their styles perfectly align with Kate’s taste — classic, understated and impeccably made. (I do wonder if Kate will honour the company with her own Royal Warrant when the time comes?)
For jewellery, the Princess added a subtle touch of colour to her outfit. She rewore her mystery ‘ruby’ and diamond drop earrings (I assume they’re ruby):
I suspect Kate chose the earrings to echo the red of the poppy pinned to her coat.
In the UK and Commonwealth countries, wearing a poppy honours those who lost their lives in service and supports the work of the Royal British Legion, which provides aid to veterans and their families.
Poppies are the enduring symbol of remembrance for military personnel who have died in war.
The tradition began after the First World War, inspired by the famous poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, which described poppies growing among soldiers’ graves in Belgium. The red flower came to represent both the bloodshed in conflict and the hope of new life.
The Princess debuted the unidentified earrings earlier this year during engagements marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Their exact origin remains unknown, sadly. I cannot tell you anything further about the jewels.
I can, however, tell you a little about the star-shaped brooch pinned to her lapel.
It’s the Irish Guards Brooch. The gold and enamel piece features the regiment’s star-shaped insignia and is worn by Kate in her capacity as Colonel of the Irish Guards—a role she has held since 2023.
The Princess debuted the brooch at Trooping the Colour in 2024. She also wore it to this year’s Trooping, too.
Kate completed today’s look with a wide-brimmed black hat that features a gently sloped crown and elegant bow detail. It’s by Jane Taylor London.
(Thanks to Natasha for sharing the hat ID with me.)
The Princess wears the milliner’s ‘Decima’ hat, crafted from luxury black felt.
I believe this is the first time we’ve seen Kate wearing the piece.
The style is typical of the millinery Kate favours for remembrance events: traditional yet modern, framing her face beautifully and offering just the right degree of formality for such a solemn occasion.
The Decima hat is part of Jane Taylor’s made-to-measure collection and retails for £2,590.
It is made to measure and secured with a discreet comb for a seamless fit that stays in place throughout the day.
Jane Taylor London has long been one of the Princess’s go-to milliners, trusted for major occasions including Trooping the Colour, Remembrance services and royal weddings.
Jane Taylor is one of Britain’s leading luxury milliners. Based in Chelsea, the atelier handcrafts each piece using traditional techniques and the finest materials, from felt and straw to silk and velvet. Jane Taylor has become a firm favourite among the Royal Family—her hats have been worn by numerous royals, including the Duchess of Edinburgh.
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