Prince George Joins His Mother Kate Middleton for

Festival of Remembrance Debut

Prince George and Princess Catherine’s Tender Moment Steals Hearts at Royal Albert Hall

London, 9 November 2025 – Amid the solemn pomp of the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, a single three-second exchange between the Princess of Wales and her 12-year-old son, Prince George, became the evening’s most unforgettable image.

Making his debut at the poignant event without his father – Prince William had only just returned from an official visit to Brazil – the young prince accompanied his mother in a powerful symbol of generational continuity. Seated in the royal box between King Charles and Queen Camilla, George displayed remarkable poise throughout the tributes to Britain’s war dead.

Yet it was during the two-minute silence, as the hall fell into hushed darkness, that the true magic unfolded. Catherine turned to her eldest son with a soft, proud smile that spoke volumes of maternal love. George, impeccably dressed in a navy suit, returned the gesture with a gentle smile of his own – his eyes gleaming with quiet understanding – before the pair shared the briefest, most natural hand-squeeze.

As mother and son later descended the red-carpeted staircase hand-in-hand beneath the glittering chandeliers, their silhouettes perfectly encapsulated the monarchy’s enduring bridge between past and future.

Royal watchers have hailed the moment as “the most precious of 2025,” praising the Prince and Princess of Wales for their thoughtful approach to preparing George for his future role. By carefully selecting occasions that blend duty with deep humanity, they are ensuring the next chapter of the British monarchy will be defined not just by tradition, but by warmth, empathy, and unbreakable family bonds.

In an age of uncertainty, one tender smile between a mother and her son offered the nation a heartfelt reminder: the future of the Crown is in very safe – and very loving – hands. ❤️

Princess’ dress recalls one of Princess Diana’s most dramatic looks.

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Kate Middleton channelled Princess Diana in a black dress with a white frill collar as she brought Prince George to the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time.

Making her first public appearance in three weeks, the Princess of Wales looked elegant in the black Alessandra Rich dress, which she wore with her favourite Scottish Silver Thistle Brooch and poppy pin. Rather than arriving on the arm of her husband, Prince William, Kate Middleton arrived with her son Prince George, 12, who looked smart in a suit and tie and dutifully shook hands as he arrived at the central London concert venue.

In a dramatic shift from her traditional all-black Remembrance ensembles, the Princess of Wales opted for the somber black dress with contrasting prairie collar. The outfit was reminiscent of one worn by Princess Diana at the 25th London Film Festival, although many of the late royal’s looked featured the distinctive oversized collar.

Kate Middleton was accompanied not by her husband, Prince William, but by her son Prince George as she arrived for the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night

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The dress was reminiscent of one worn by Princess Diana at the 25th London Film Festival

 Tim Graham/Getty Images

Middleton added sparkle with her Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings, which once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. The Princess of Wales has worn the jewels on a number of previous occasions—and they have a fascinating history. The then Princess Elizabeth created from a cache of seven pearls, which she received as a wedding present in 1947 from the Hakim of Bahrain. The earrings are comprised of round diamond studs, from which are suspended round and baguette-cut diamonds in an Art Deco style, plus two of of the Bahrain pearls.

In the earl years of her marriage, the Queen wore these earrings often for gala occasions and official portraits, including one taken in the 1950s—when she teamed them with two other wedding presents, including the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara and the City of London Fringe Necklace. In 1982, the Queen loaned the earrings to Princess Diana, who appeared to like them just as much, often teaming them with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, which was another favourite.

It marked Prince George’s first appearance at a Remembrance event and a major moment in his preparation as a King-in-waiting.

Kate Middleton with Prince Goerge at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night

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The outing on Saturday night marks the first time the Princess of Wales has been seen in public for three weeks. She has taken time off for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis’ half-term holiday and has been spending time settling the family into her their “forever home” of Forest Lodge, Windsor.

Meanwhile Prince William has recently returned from a triumphant five-day tour to Brazil where he championed the Earthshot Prize and represented his father, King Charles III, at COP30. The Prince of Wales won comparisons to his mother, Princess Diana, as he met with sports stars, politicians and local residents.

King Charles and Queen Camilla tonight joined senior royals, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, at the annual event at the Royal Albert Hall, which is one of the major moments of Remembrance weekend. The King and Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh all took their seats in a box ahead of the night’s performance.

This year’s festival will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World
War, honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and lost their lives. Personal
stories will bring to light the experiences of those lost in more recent conflicts, connecting the
past with the present, with a special focus on the resilience and strength of military
children who have faced bereavement.

2025 also marks the 25th anniversary of the UK Government lifting the ban on gay, lesbian,
and bisexual personnel serving openly in the armed forces. The festival will reflect on past
discriminations, and celebrate the progress made since 2000.

This article was originally published by Tatler.