Yesterday, amid the windswept quiet of the National Memorial Arboretum, the Princess of Wales stepped into a defining moment of modern royal history. Representing the family at the annual Service of Remembrance—a role traditionally held by a senior blood royal—Catherine’s presence carried both symbolic weight and a deeply personal touch. She not only attended, she shaped the occasion, commissioning poet Arji Manuelpillai to create a bespoke tribute for the ceremony.
Manuelpillai’s sonnet, written to illuminate the fragile human connections often obscured by conflict, echoed Catherine’s own long-standing commitment to compassion and service. His words—honoring hidden care, enduring friendships, and the bonds that bind generations—felt like an extension of the Princess’s ethos and her quiet belief in carrying love forward.
Clad once more in her tailored Catherine Walker coat dress—an elegant piece she previously wore in 2019 and 2023—the Princess joined attendees in a two-minute silence before laying a wreath inscribed with a handwritten dedication: “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them.” She then spent time speaking with veterans and their families, sharing warm personal notes, including one especially charming revelation: Prince George’s fascination with World War II model aeroplanes.
But it was her jewellery—specifically, her drop ruby-and-diamond earrings by G Collins & Sons—that offered its own intimate narrative. Long associated with July births, rubies served as a subtle tribute to George, a quiet nod to her eldest child during a solemn moment of remembrance. The earrings are still relatively new to her collection, having appeared only twice before: at the 80th anniversary of VE Day and during the Trumps’ state visit.
George’s growing public role likely influenced the choice. Just as Catherine once accompanied Prince William to early royal engagements, George has begun stepping into similar duties. This weekend marked his first appearance at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall—a milestone even as speculation swirls about whether he will follow his father to Eton later this year.
As Catherine stood in the November wind, her earrings glinting softly against the sombre landscape, the gesture was unmistakable: a mother honoring service, legacy, and the next generation all at once. A tribute worn close—both to her heart and to her future king.
