On Remembrance Sunday on November 12, 2023, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, paid tribute to her military family. She paired the gown with multiple poppies pinned to her left shoulder during the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph. This annual occasion pays tribute to military personnel who have lost their lives in wars, especially in the First World War. With her, Queen Camilla accompanied the ceremony for the first time, upholding a long royal tradition of remembrance.
In this case, the meaning of the three poppies has a lot to do with Kate Middleton’s backstory. Her maternal great-grandmother lost three brothers who were killed in action during the First World War. This family tie adds significance to her decision as she recalls the sacrifices of her ancestors. When researching in 2018, she went through letters home from her family at the Imperial War Museum. This lived experience only solidified her commitment to honor their legacy.
One way that the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, made her outfit unique was to choose The Codebreakers Brooch. This gorgeous piece pays tribute to her Nanny, Valerie Glassborow, her twin sister Mary and her great-aunt. These women were some of the approximately 10,000 codebreakers who worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War, a vital contribution to victory in wartime efforts. The brooch both celebrates their contributions and service though, in a nod to Kate’s more recent years’ preference for several poppies, one way or the other.
The late Queen Elizabeth II typically wore five poppies at this event to represent each service branch – the Army, the Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Civil Defence and women. Unlike Kate’s decision to wear just three, this has raised eyebrows. The palace has yet to explain the logical basis for her appointment. One such explanation is that royals wear their various brooches as a tribute to family members. These service members, dearly departed family members, have fought and bravely succumbed to the ravages of battle.
The day before, Kate Middleton and Prince William joined Queen Camilla for The Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance. Kate pictured wearing an intelligent and elegant black design for the function, Prince William in a sensible navy match. This new, hallowed appearance solidified their commitment to honoring the sacrifices of every service member and their family.
Poppies have come to symbolize remembrance in a profound way. Like the ones below, they commemorate those who fell during the First World War and subsequent wars. Every year, they step out of the shadows to become a powerful and unavoidable feature of the national narrative on this sacred day.
