The Duchess of Cambridge Joins The Queen For Remembrance Sunday

It was a poignant morning as the Royal family gathered at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday ceremonies in London.

Once again this year, the Duchess of Cambridge joined Her Majesty and the Duchess of Cornwall on the balcony of the Foreign Office in Whitehall.

In earlier years, we've seen Kate with the Countess of Wessex and Sir Timothy Laurence. Prince Philip's retirement heralded a change, with the monarch now flanked by two future Queen Consorts for the moving event.

It is the third year the Queen has appeared on the balcony. Now approaching her 94th birthday, HM's decision to ask Charles to lay her wreath has been seen as an example of a shift in head of state duties.

The Duchess of Sussex and The Countess of Wessex.

The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall is a unique expression of homage devoted to the memory of those who have given their lives in war.

It was originally conceived as a commemoration of the First World War's dead by King George V in 1919, but after the Second World War the scope of the ceremony was extended to focus on the dead of both wars. Remembrance Day or Memorial Day is observed in Commonwealth countries.

As the clock struck eleven, a two-minute silence was observed. The silence represents the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, when the guns of Europe fell silent.

From GOV.UK: 'Every year, the two minute silence for the remembrance service on Whitehall is conducted with military precision. On Horse Guards Parade the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire their First World War guns to mark the start of the silence, and a Corps of Army Music bugler from the Household Division marks its end at precisely the same time that the guns fire again, 120 seconds later.'

Prince Charles leads the wreath laying portion of the event.

William, Harry and the Duke of York laid wreaths.

William wore his RAF uniform and Harry was dressed in the Royal Marines uniform.

Her Majesty appeared to shed a tear as she watched on.

The march past is an annual event for British and Commonwealth former military and civilian service personnel to honour the fallen of the British Armed Forces involved in the two World Wars and all conflicts since.

Moving scenes.

It was heartwarming to hear about 94-year-old WWII veteran Harry Billinge and his inspiring efforts to raise a pound for every one of the 22,000 British troops who died in Normandy for a memorial. Harry tells the BBC "Don't say I'm a hero. I'm no hero. I was lucky".

More from the Normandy Memorial Trust:

'Harry Billinge landed on Gold Beach at ‘H Hour’, 6.30am on 6 June 1944. He was just 18 and part of the first wave of troops. Harry was a Sapper with the Royal Engineers. Now 94 years old, Harry has dedicated his life to remembering his friends who never made it back home.

Harry has committed himself to fundraising for the monument which will commemorate the sacrifices made by his friends, honouring the bond of comradeship forged on the sands of Normandy so long ago. He lives in Cornwall and is often seen on the High Street in St Austell, proudly wearing his medals and green beret, collecting money from passers by and telling youngsters about what happened during the war to ensure his friends’ sacrifice is never forgotten.'

Prince Charles thanking Harry for his work.

This year's Poppy Appeal saw a host of well-known faces go undercover, with the help of GCHQ in their centenary year, to highlight the unseen contribution of our armed forces.

It's always special to see so many people from all over the UK volunteering for the annual appeal. Daphne Snowden has been collecting since she was 11 years old. She was presented with her 65 year service bar in 2016.

This year's appeal is aiming to raise £50 million to help support serving and ex-serving members of the armed forces community and their families. If you wish to donate please click here.

It is the ninth consecutive year Kate has attended.

A video from this morning's ceremonies.

The Duchess was solemn in a new bespoke military style black coat. It features a zip and structured shoulders. Susan from What Kate Wore received confirmation it's a Catherine Walker piece.

Kate wore an elegant hat with netting. Gabi notes it's very similar to Philip Treacy designs.

We can also see Kate accessorised with the Queen's Bahrain pearl drop earrings. Kate has worn the earrings on several occasions including Royal Ascot in 2017. In 1947 the then Princess Elizabeth received seven larger pearls from the ruler of Bahrain, and two of the pearls were used to create the beautiful pair of earrings. From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault reports: "The earrings each contain one large round diamond and four smaller ones, three baguette diamonds, and a Bahrain pearl dangling below. The Queen seems to have worn them mainly in the early years of her reign; they were later unearthed for the Buckingham Palace summer exhibit marking her 60th wedding anniversary." More recently they were loaned to the Countess of Wessex and now the Duchess of Cambridge.

And completed the look with the codebreakers brooch. Kate's paternal grandmother Valerie Glassborrow and her twin sister Mary worked at Bletchley Park during the war.

Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter shared a beautiful poem composed by 14-year-old Joshua Dyer who was tasked at school to write a piece about Remembrance Sunday. One hour later he produced 'One Thousand Men Are Walking'. I think it's incredibly moving such a young boy has a keen understanding of the importance of the day. It is vital we continue to commemorate and remember so the next generation like Joshua will know and understand the ultimate sacrifice so many made.

Lest we forget.

The Royal Family Gathers for Festival Of Remembrance

The Royal family gathered at the Royal Albert Hall tonight for the annual Festival of Remembrance.

During Remembrance Week, Her Majesty and members of the Royal family, lead the nation in commemorating and honouring the men and women who have sacrificed themselves in service to our country. The period in November marks one of the rare occasions when see the family together in large numbers.

I often hear readers from outside the UK comment on how the UK pays tribute to our fallen heroes. I believe it is not only an honour to do so, but vital for future generations to remember those who gave their today for our tomorrow.

The royals were greeted by Mr Ian McCulloch, President of the Royal Albert Hall, and Lieutenant General James Bashall, President of the Royal British Legion.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arriving.

Each year the Festival of Remembrance focuses on specific themes. This year, it marks the 75th anniversaries of the great battles of 1944 - Monte Cassino, Kohima and Imphal, D-Day -  and the collaboration and friendship of the British, Commonwealth and Allied armies who fought them. It also celebrates the role of GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters responsible for signals intelligence) and the role of those in the secret service whose efforts are not publicly known.

The event has been held at the Royal Albert Hall every year since 1927. Her Majesty has been patron of the Royal British Legion since 1952, only missing two festivals in the many years since.

Other royals in attendance included the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent. Camilla had been feeling very poorly during the week with a severe chest infection which forced her to miss several engagements, so it's good to see she's on the mend and felt well enough to attend tonight.

Ahead of the arrival of the royals, the hanging of the hammercloth takes place. Archivist Suzanne Keyte said: "There are many things that an archivist expects to find as part of their job, but one of the most unusual and rather lovely jobs at the Royal Albert Hall is caring for the hammercloth and ensuring that it is hung from the balcony in the Royal Box whenever the reigning monarch visits the Hall. The hammercloth is a beautiful and very heavy velvet curtain bearing the Royal Coat of Arms and the initials of the reigning monarch of Great Britain and the Commonwealth. The origin of the word ‘hammercloth’ is rather vague but was usually meant to mean the heavily embroidered cloth that hung over a coachman’s seat on horse drawn coaches, often embroidered with a coat of arms."

The Royal British Legion's annual festival commemorates those who have lost their lives in service of their country.

It takes place on the eve of Remembrance Sunday, with two performances on the day - a matinée open to members of the public and an evening event for members of the Legion, their families, officials and royals.

Presented by Huw Edwards, performers included James Blunt and Leona Lewis singing alongside the Central Band of the Royal Air Force and the Band of HM Royal Marines.

Actor and pianist Jeff Goldblum takes to the stage with ballroom dancers.

Tonight's event also paid tribute to the company of RFA Mounts Bay who were instrumental in delivering supplies and aid to the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian this year.

The Torch of Remembrance was carried by 3rd Officer Sarah Stevens.

The citation was read by Captain Rob Anders: "We honour the Commonwealth nations and our allies who joined Britain in defending its freedoms, values and way of life."

The Duke and Duchess watching the performance.

The Chelsea Pensioners choir performed 'The Old Brigade'.

Actor Daniel Mays read the poem 'The Red Poppies on Monte Cassino" as newsreel of the battle played. It is one of the best known Polish military songs of WWII.

D-Day veteran Eddie Gains talked about landing in Normandy: "When you think about all the lives lost, it's very important to remember, I'm lucky to have survived."

The Duchess was elegant in a navy dress which falls below the knee with a fitted velvet black belt. As it's a Remembrance event, the designer of the garment is not known. It's likely a bespoke piece, possibly by one of Kate's most trusted brands such as Alexander McQueen or Jenny Packham.

Kate debuted a new sparkly headband by ZARA (with thanks to Shorty KC). The £22 padded headband features tonal appliqué.

The Duchess accessorised with the Queen's pearl on diamond earrings. She's worn them on multiple occasions.

Kate wore her black velvet Jimmy Choo Romy 100 pumps. She debuted them for last year's Festival of Remembrance.

It appears Kate's clutch is a McQueen piece.

Kate wore three poppies on a brooch.

Last year, Kate visited the Imperial War Museum to learn more about the three brothers of her great-grandmother, all of whom fought and died in the First World War. It's likely the three poppies are in memory of Francis, Maurice and Lionel Lupton who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The Festival of Remembrance will be televised on BBC One at 9 pm. We'll see William and Kate and many others royals for Remembrance Sunday tomorrow morning.

The Cambridges Attend National Emergencies Trust Launch

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out this morning for the launch of the National Emergencies Trust at St Martin-in-the-fields, London. 

The engagement was initially announced as a solo appearance for William. On Tuesday, Kensington Palace confirmed Kate would be joining her husband. Following their tour of Pakistan, the Cambridges spent half-term break at their country home Anmer Hall. During their time there, Kate was spotted at a nearby Sainsburys for a spot of Halloween shopping with George and Charlotte.

The scale of several dreadful tragedies in the UK in 2017 including the Grenfell fire and terrorist attacks in Manchester and London led the Charity Commission to convene a number of organisations, charitable bodies and leading figures on the ground to establish a means of responding to national emergencies as quickly and effectively as possible. The intensity of 2017 led to the stark realisation proper measures were not in place to co-ordinate the public response to domestic emergencies. The answer was to come together and create the National Emergencies Trust. It will operate independently of government.

The trust will work collaboratively with charities and other bodies to direct public donations to NET appeals, and to distribute funds fairly and efficiently at the time of a national emergency. The concept of a collaborative approach to public emergency response has been proven by the Disasters Emergency Committee, which has been responding to overseas disasters for more than 50 years, and will be applied by the NET to domestic emergencies.

The Telegraph reports:

'Last month, it was revealed that 16 fraudsters who posed as people affected by the inferno that killed 72 people falsely claimed a total of £775,000 from the Grenfell victims' fund, with police only recovering £24,000.

The trust said that multiple charitable appeals following a disaster could leave the public feeling overwhelmed.

General Lord Dannatt, the chairman of the new trust and a former Chief of the General Staff, said of the response in 2017: "The general public were very generous and most of the money that was raised went to the right causes and the right people, but not everything went as it should have done.

"The Charity Commission challenged charities in the voluntary and community sector to come up with a more efficient and collaborative way of working together in response to any future tragedy."

The Duke and Duchess met a group of people affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire and Westminster Bridge terror attacks. Shortly after the horrific fire, William joined the Queen to meet residents and later participated in a DIY SOS project to support those in the area. Those in the UK will know it's been a painful time for those who lost loved ones and their homes in the fire. Phase one findings of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry were shared just over a week ago. The report found "serious shortcomings" and "systematic failures" in response to the fire. While the findings praised the courage of the London Fire Brigade, it was highly critical of their response with a number of recommendations suggested moving forward. The report found the principal reason the fire spread was aluminium composite cladding filled with plastic used on the exterior of the building. It led to a barrage of media coverage and political commentary. As I watched it all unfold last week, I couldn't help but think of the families who are still coming to terms with the unimaginable horror they endured and how deeply impactful the inquiry is for them.

The Duke and Duchess met representatives from the emergency services, NGOs, and some of the NET’s charitable partners.

Kate was particularly taken by a dog trained to assist during emergencies.

During a speech Prince William said: "Catherine and I are very pleased to be here today at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust. The UK is one of the most generous countries in the world in helping those in need and giving to charity. We all know the important role that the Disasters Emergency Committee plays in channelling the British public’s extraordinary generosity to respond to disasters overseas. It is therefore only fitting that a new, national charity is able to fulfill the same function when tragedy strikes at home."

William's continued:

'Just now and on previous occasions, it has been humbling to speak to survivors of the London Bridge and Manchester attacks, the Cumbria floods, the Grenfell Tower fire and other disasters here in the UK.

Their stories are as heart-breaking as they are inspiring. Their resilience and strength are deeply humbling. In talking to survivors, I’ve always been inspired to hear about the help they were offered by people and organisations acting on their own initiative with immediate and heartfelt compassion. This empathy is both natural, and remarkable.

Whenever and wherever disaster strikes here in the UK, this country has a unique way of pulling together. From the people who donate their blood, to the children who empty their piggy banks, to the families that set aside a bedroom in their home. The way that local communities support those affected shows the very best of our values and human nature.

But in the wake of tragedy, managing and channelling the public’s desire to help can prove tricky. I saw this for myself on the ground in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. I therefore fully support what you are doing here today.

I’m impressed about how willing the charity sector has been to learn the lessons from previous responses, and to ensure that the quickest and most appropriate support is offered to those affected.

I commend the Charity Commission for initiating this work, and all the charities in the voluntary and community sector for coming together so successfully. Your cooperation is admirable. The result is an organisation that you helped to design, that draws on all your strengths, and is warmly welcomed. 

I am very pleased that the National Emergencies Trust now stands ready to provide a structured, organised response to help people right across the UK in the event of a domestic disaster.

Many thanks to the whole team behind the Trust for all their hard work ahead of the launch. We all dread the day when you are needed. But I know that, like everyone here, I am glad that you now exist.'

If you would like to donate to the National Emergencies Trust please click here.

A video from the engagement.

Afterwards, the Duchess undertook a private engagement as she visited the BBC Children's and Education Team ahead of Anti-Bullying Week. It is understood she met with the BBC's Director General, The Lord Hall of Birkenhead. Reporter Russell Myers noted something "very interesting" is in the pipeline and we'll hear more about it next year. I expect it's possibly a Royal Foundation initiative that may be tied to her early years and mental health work. Speaking of early years, we can expect to hear more about Kate's project in the coming weeks.

Does Kate's dress look familiar? The Duchess wore the Emilia Wickstead 'Kate' dress in navy.

Kate owns the piece in lavender and debuted it during an official visit to Germany. She brought it back last autumn for the Global Ministerial Health Summit.

It became so popular, the designer released it in three colours, aptly named 'Kate'. The £1,420 piece is described as "Emilia Wickstead's wool-crepe Kate dress is an elegantly versatile choice for the social season. It's tailored in the UK with a flattering boat neckline and long darts throughout the front and back of the bodice, then lined with black crepe to ensure a smooth fit." Kate added a belt by the designer to complete her look today.

Kate carried her limited edition ‘Blue Heart’ clutch in black croc. It is described as "a beautiful collaboration between Aspinal of London and Beulah using Beulah’s iconic blue heart print on the interior lining. The Blue Heart clutch is a grown up classic with a timelessly elegant silhouette that works effortlessly and includes Aspinal of London’s distinctive signature shield lock clasp. The intricate metal chain is in a gold finish and adds to the functionality allowing the clutch to be held in the hand or elegantly draped over the shoulder.

The Duchess debuted a fabulous pair of Jimmy Choo Romy 85 Patent Leather pumps. They are available in multiple colours for $850 at Net-A-Porter.

And accessorised with her sapphire and diamond earrings.

Coincidentally, a reader messaged me earlier this week to suggest the Women of the First World War brooch from the poppy collection as an ideal choice for Kate to wear this week. The Duchess obviously had the same thought and chose the special £30 piece today. It is still in stock at the Poppy Shop.

The Duchess has several engagements coming up including two events for Remembrance week.

9 November - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will join members of the royal family for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

10 November - Remembrance Sunday

15 November - The Duchess of Cambridge, Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, will visit the charity’s new hospice ‘The Nook’ on Friday 15th November to meet children and families being supported by EACH, tour the hospice, and unveil a plaque to officially open the building.

18 November - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend the Royal Variety Performance at the Palladium Theatre, London, held in aid of the Royal Variety Charity.

I'll see you Saturday evening for the Festival of Remembrance. It begins at 7 pm. It's always a beautifully organised and moving night.