The King, Queen, Princess of Wales and Prince George attended the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The crowd at the Royal Albert Hall in London rose to their feet as the royal family entered to a fanfare of trumpeters and took their seats in the royal box on Saturday evening.
Kate, wearing a black Alessandra Rich dress with a white collar, an HMS Glasgow brooch and earrings that once belonged to the late Queen, was seated beside her son, George.
The princess’ dress was adorned with a handmade poppy created out of silk, glass and other natural materials by Izzy Ager, of Lock and Co, who has recently graduated from the Royal School of Needlework.
Keir Starmer was seen taking his seat alongside his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, shortly before the royal family arrived.
This year was hosted by Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.
It is also marking the 25th anniversary of the UK Government lifting the ban on gay, lesbian and bisexual personnel serving openly in the armed forces and will reflect on past discrimination.
The festival will feature performances by Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder, and Keala Settle, as well as music by the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires, and the Band of HM Royal Marines.
The royals stood and clapped as the Chelsea Pensioners in red uniforms entered the auditorium and marched across the stage while an orchestra gave a rendition of the Boys Of The Old Brigade.
Kate was seen saying a few words to her son and pointing things out to him as Sir Rod performed Sentimental Journey accompanied by the RAF Squadronaires.
George shuffled a little in his seat between musical performances and watched intently as emotional videos of veterans speaking about their experiences and paying tribute to their lost friends and comrades played.
Waddingham, wearing a long purple dress and a poppy, performed We’ll Meet Again and spoke of the courage of her granddad, who is a veteran, as she addressed the audience.
Veterans in attendance at the event included those who had helped to plan D Day, some who had been prisoners of war and had survived direct hits at sea.
The Prince of Wales was not in attendance as he was travelling back from the Cop30 UN Climate Change summit in Belém.
The King was announced as a patron of the Royal British Legion last year and will lead the nation in a two-minute silence at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday.
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