Catherine, Princess of Wales, at the 2025 National Service of Remembrance. This year, she broke with tradition by deciding not to wear three poppies at all. She selected an expressive individual poppy to wear on her sleek black coat. We were particularly proud to have it on display during the solemn Remembrance event at The Cenotaph. Her decision has been the subject of spirited debate among royal watchers and the public. One is because the poppy carries profound historical weight as a symbol of remembrance.
Princess Kate, as she is known, joined Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family for the emotional service. Memorial Day marks the start of summer. Royal family members traditionally wear more than one poppy. This is a practice that pays tribute to everyone who has served in various capacities, as soldiers, civilians or otherwise, during eras of conflict. Notably, Queen Camilla wore three poppies on her coat, while the late Queen Elizabeth II was known for wearing five, each poppy representing a different service: the Army, the Navy, the RAF, Civil Defence, and women.
A Departure from Tradition
Throughout Remembrance Sunday ceremonies over the years, Princess Kate has almost always worn three poppies. This year, she decided to wear only one poppy. This decision predicts with unique subtlety and import a tonal shift in her treatment of, and engagement with, this potentially key platform. The palace refused to elaborate on why she has made those previous choices. The ambiguity in issue has led to rampant speculation about what her choice of dress might mean.
Historically, members of the royal family have further selected their outfits to represent direct personal ties to military service. Princess Kate’s great-grandmother, it turns out, experienced a similar heartbreak during the First World War. She lost all three brothers, and that loss and personal tragedy could inform Kate’s decisions going forward. During her visit to the Imperial War Museum in 2018, she found letters written by her ancestors. This experience brought her even closer to her family’s story and the broader narrative of the story of remembrance.
“The ceremony is always incredibly moving and it was particularly touching how the crowd applauded members of the armed forces and veterans as they lined up before the March past.” – HELLO!’s Online Royal Correspondent, Danielle Stacey
Honoring Family Legacy
Princess Kate’s decision to opt for a single poppy could indicate a more personal tribute this year. Here, she accessorized her look with The Codebreakers Brooch. This unique pen pays tribute to her grandmother, Valerie Glassborow, and her twin sister, Mary, whom both worked as codebreakers at Bletchley Park during the Second World War. Today, this brooch represents the profound legacy of that painful chapter in British history and highlights her family’s contributions to the war effort.
Royal dress and regalia traditionally include several poppies. As such, this design has been taken to be a respectful memorial for family members who fought in any war. Princess Kate comes from a deep lineage of military history on her family’s side. Her one poppy might represent a more intimate commemoration as opposed to simply the public display of respect.
The Atmosphere of Remembrance
This ceremony in itself was a moment of deep contemplation and reflection, as thousands continued to flock to Washington to honor those lost. Members of the UK royal family joined at the FCDO building. Yet amid the serious and somber atmosphere, they still shared moments of warmth and connection. Queen Camilla and Princess Kate were seen engaged in conversation and exchanging smiles, highlighting a sense of camaraderie during this reflective occasion.
The day was filled with emotional reflections by participants as they recognized the need to honor the service members and their sacrifices. Stacey continued, “It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop when the King, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh came forward. They laid their wreaths at the base of the monument. The audience’s applause for our veterans powerfully demonstrated the deep appreciation held by everyone in the room from all generations.
