The Princess of Wales led the nation in commemoration of Remembrance Day

A member of the public revealed she was left “shaking” after meeting Princess Kate during the Armistice Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum.

It was the first time that Kate had attended the service held at the Armed Forces Memorial.

She was seen standing silently and still in a military-style black coat, accompanied by a wide-brimmed black hat with a bow, and two poppies.

Before leaving the Arboretum, Princess Kate made time to greet crowds, and she spoke to 72-year-old Josephine Bradburn, who celebrated her birthday on Friday, and said it was a “fantastic birthday present” to meet her.

Princess Kate

Princes Kate left crowds “shaking” after greeting them after the Armistice Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum | REUTERS

She said: “I got to shake her hand. She said what a lovely place it was and what an honour it was to be asked to come here today. She asked us where we were from.”

She revealed that she also asked the princess how she was, and commented that the arboretum was a lovely place.

Mrs Bradburn said the interaction with Kate left her “shaking.”

She said: “I’m absolutely blown away by it. It’s an amazing birthday present, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

The Princess of Wales was also handed a wreath to lay in the centre of the memorial.

The 43-year-old stood alongside serving personnel and families as they observed the two-minute silence.

During the ceremony, a specially commissioned poem titled A Sonnet For Us All was read.

Princess Kate

The Princess of Wales laid a wreath during the service at the National Memorial Arboretum | REUTERS

The poem was written by Arji Manuelpillai, the Poet in Residence at the National Memorial Arboretum.

The poem read: “When you speak of our country, do not speak of war. Speak of the nurse who held a hand like her own father’s.

“A lieutenant who embraced a soldier like his own brother. Remember, sometimes those who go into burning buildings burn brighter than the fire inside. Those who rise from burning buildings carry scars we cannot see.

“If you speak of this country, speak of the widow who never stopped waiting, the sailor who kissed a photo till it turned to ash in his hands, or the pilots who meet in the pub to talk of anything but war.

“You see love is a compass, love is a bugle mourning. Love is sacrificing tomorrow so that a stranger can live today.

“So when you speak of this country, do not think of it as a place. Think of it as a feeling, the feeling of being loved, the duty to pass that love to whoever needs it.”

Princess Kate

Princess Kate had to keep hold of her hat as she met visitors due to the stiff wind | REUTERS

After the service, the princess visited the memorial wall, where she was introduced to Squadron Leader Beth Long and her daughters Scarlett and Sophie, the family of Squadron Leader Mark Long who died in a Spitfire crash during the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in 2024.

Mr Long’s name is the most recent to be added to the wall.

Kate was also handed flowers as she met pupils from Newport Girls’ High School, and almost lost her hat in the breeze as she made her way down the steps of the memorial.