The Princess of Wales continues her mission to promote love, kindness and community, this week, giving us an even clearer insight as to the kind of queen she will one day make.
On Armistice Day on Tuesday, Catherine laid her own wreath for the first time at a remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Lichfield, Staffordshire. A specially-commissioned poem was read and after The Last Post and two-minute silence, Catherine laid a wreath with a hand-written note, reading, “In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we will remember them. Catherine.”
“Today, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we commemorate not only the armistice signed at the end of World War I, but remember those who have bravely given so much in conflicts around the world. Lest We Forget,” she posted on Instagram.
Then on Thursday, Kensington Palace released details of the Princess of Wales’ much-anticipated carol concert. The Together at Christmas carol service, now in its fifth year, will return to Westminster Abbey on December 5 and be broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve. The service’s theme is a celebration of “love in all its forms, whether it’s in families, friendships or across communities,” the palace said. “Christmas is a time that connects us all.”
The 1,600 congregation will include those who have volunteered to help others, brought communities together, or shown kindness to those around them and highlight, “the transformative power of investing in one another with compassion, presence and joy”.
According to The Telegraph, Catherine, “wanted to recognise and thank the many people around the country who are acting with love in their communities, contributing to a more cohesive and connected society”. Members of the Royal Family will attend, as well as celebrities including Kate Winslet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Hannah Waddingham, Bastille’s Dan Smith and young musicians from Future Talent – the charity formed by the late Duchess of Kent, who passed away in September.
“In a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, love is the force that reconnects us all – spanning generations, communities, cultures and faiths,” the palace said. We couldn’t agree more.
Our eco-monarch has long professed his love of gardening and so it’s only fitting he marked his 77th birthday on Friday with a new portrait taken in Sandringham. The lovely image was part of a set taken by Millie Pilkington, for Country Life. The King told the magazine all about his three-year project to turn the gardens and estate at Sandringham organic, including 3,000 sheep, a topiary garden, maze, sundial garden, acer glade and magnolia walk, reinvigorating the kitchen gardens and formal gardens. The good news is, like Highgrove, the gardens will be open for visitors to see the King’s beautiful vision, during summer. Visit sandringhamestate.co.uk
Like Catherine, Prince William demonstrated how down-to-earth he is, when he made two surprise appearances, this week, for good causes. He called Robert Irwin to wish him luck on his appearance on Dancing With The Stars. Robert was meant to have joined the prince in Rio for the Earthshot Prize, but had to miss it, as he was doing so well in the dancing competition. “We’re missing you,” William said, “Whilst your twinkle toes are going off elsewhere, I need you down here.” Then on Friday, the prince posted a video message encouraging Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox on the final leg of her Children In Need Great Northern Marathon Challenge. “You’re nearly there,” he said, as she headed for the finish line in Pudsey. “Big hugs and hopefully lots of your favourite crumpets,” he added. “The nation is so proud of you.” Anyone wanting to donate to her epic achievement, can do so here: bbc.co.uk
It was a special week for the Queen, too, as Camilla held a reception to celebrate the Booker Prize 2025 and new Children’s Booker Prize, at Clarence House, on Tuesday. She hosted winner David Szalay and shortlisted authors, but we couldn’t help but notice how delighted actor Sarah Jessica Parker was to be there, as one of the judges. How good a plot would this have made for Carrie in And Just Like That? On Wednesday, Camilla also held a reception at Buckingham Palace for the 75th anniversary of the English National Ballet. Watch the video here – how beautiful does it look!
Finally, Princess Anne hasn’t let turning 75 slow her down whatsoever, as she and Sir Tim Laurence visited Australia and Singapore, this week. Anne was in Australia to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, of which she is Colonel-in-Chief and she undertook military engagements in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. She then travelled to Singapore, to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Singapore.
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