Prince George has joined the King, Queen and Princess of Wales at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance.
The crowd at the Royal Albert Hall in London stood as the family entered to a fanfare by trumpeters and took their seats in the royal box on Saturday evening.
Kate, wearing a black dress with a white collar by Alessandra Rich, an HMS Glasgow brooch and earrings belonging to the late Queen, was seated next to her son.
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.
Sir Keir Starmer was seen taking his seat alongside his wife Lady Victoria Starmer shortly before the royal family arrived.
This year, the festival is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and is being 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 discriminations.
The festival will see performances by Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder and Keala Settle as well as music performed by the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires and the Band of HM Royal Marines.
The royal family 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 Belem.
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.
The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance will be broadcast at 9pm on BBC One later on Saturday.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.independent.co.uk ’
