The Princess of Wales visited the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and had been leaving the venue when she made a sudden change to carry out a touching gesture

The Princess of Wales carried out a surprise touching gesture after paying a moving tribute to the fallen on Armistice Day. Kate visited the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where she led the nation in a poignant two-minute silence in remembrance of the fallen.

Kate stood silent, still, and deep in thought as she joined veterans in honouring the war dead at the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, before laying a wreath in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. It was the first time future Queen Kate – dressed in a military-style black coat, wide-brimmed black hat adorned with a bow, and wearing two poppies – had attended the service at the Arboretum and laid a wreath on Armistice Day.

Kate made an unplanned stop to greet members of the public who had gathered to see her

Kate made an unplanned stop to greet members of the public who had gathered to see her(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As Kate met veterans and their families after the service, hundreds of people had gathered at the Arboretum and many waited back after the ceremony to greet the princess.

And as she left the venue to head to her car, the princess made an unplanned stop to go and greet the wellwishers, where she posed for photos, chatted and shook hands.

Josie Bradburn said afterwards: “She said what a beautiful place it was and has never been before and was honoured to come here today and found it really emotional.”

Kate meets wellwishers at the National Memorial Arboretum

Kate meets wellwishers at the National Memorial Arboretum (Getty Images)

Kate wore all black for the ceremony

Kate wore all black for the ceremony(PA)

Mrs Bradburn, from Kingswinford, said she was “shaking” after talking with Kate. She said: “I’m absolutely blown away by it. It’s an amazing birthday present, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

One youngster, when Kate shook her hand, cried out: “Oh my god.” The princess also appeared to joke about having to hold onto her hat in the wind as she shook hands and chatted.

It came after Kate was handed a bunch of flowers as she met pupils from Newport Girls’ High School before taking time to chat to D-Day veterans Alan Kennett and Geoffrey Spencer and VE and VJ Day veteran Donald (Bill) Redston.

Kate with 100-year-old WW2 veteran Bill Redston

Kate with 100-year-old WW2 veteran Bill Redston(Image: Getty Images)

Speaking to Mr Spencer, who served in RAF Bomber Command and repaired and flew Lancaster Bomber aircraft, Kate asked him what it was like to fly and shared that son George loves to make AirFix models and was a “big fan” of the Lancaster Bomber models.

She said: “George very much likes making the AirFix models. He is a big fan of the Lancaster Bomber, so he knows more about aircraft than I do.”

Kate held the hand of VE and VJ Day veteran Donald (Bill) Redston as the 100-year-old told her about the keep-fit regime he credits for keeping him well.

Kate among the dignitaries at the National Memorial Arboretum
Kate among the dignitaries at the National Memorial Arboretum (AFP via Getty Images)

Asked by the royal for his top tips, Mr Redston told Kate he had run marathons, including the London Marathon when he was 65 and the New York Marathon when he was 66.

The princess said the arboretum was a “special place” and that she enjoyed hearing the personal experiences of veterans such as Mr Redston.