Kate Middleton Pays Tribute to Princess Diana at Her First High-Profile Appearance Since Finishing Chemotherapy

Kate Middleton paid a touching tribute to Princess Diana as she made her first high-profile public appearance in months alongside the Prince of Wales at the Festival of Remembrance.

The Princess of Wales was beaming as she joined Prince William at the Royal Albert Hall for the event, which is a staple in the royal calendar each year. It’s the princess’ first high-profile appearance in months, after Prince William described the year as the ‘hardest’ of his life. She last appeared in public with William in Southport, where the couple met first responders who had been on the scene of the attack in the summer, as well as meeting the families of those victims involved.

This marks the first of a number of events the Princess of Wales will attend this weekend as she joins the royal family to honor Britain’s servicemen and women. His Majesty, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as Princess Anne were also in attendance at the Royal Albert Hall. The Duke of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucestershire and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were also seated in the Royal Box.

Kate Middleton and Prince William attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on November 9, 2024 in London, England.

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In a subtle nod to her late mother-in-law Diana, the Princess of Wales opted to wear her Collingwood diamond and pearl earrings. Originally a wedding gift from Collingwood jewellers, Princess Diana first wore these earrings before the big day. The classic pear-drop shape of these pearls match those of the Lover’s Knot Tiara, and accompanied Diana across tours in Australia, Canada and Italy.

Middleton has worn them on a number of occasions, having first been spotted wearing them at the Spanish State Banquet in 2017, then again a few weeks later at the Passchendaele Centenary commemorations in Belgium. The Princess of Wales appeared in the pretty pearl drop earrings again at the Queen’s Buckingham Palace garden parties in May 2019, indicating that they’re one of her favorite pieces from her late mother-in-law’s collection.

In a touching nod to Princess Diana, Kate opted to wear a set of earrings which once belonged to her mother in law

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Whilst the Princess of Wales has been absent from public life for much of the last year, she and Prince William have offered royal fans regular updates to her health journey. Middleton first revealed she was facing cancer back in March, before taking a number of months out of the public spotlight as she underwent chemotherapy. Throughout the year, she attended Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, but has been largely missing from public life. Treatment for her disease is believed to have ended earlier this autumn.

In September, Kate told the public in a moving video update that she was ‘looking forward to being back at work, and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can’. This first step towards taking a more active role in her personal projects is, one hopes, a promising sign that the Princess will be able to undertake a few more engagements next year

The Palace has confirmed that the Princess will continue to work from home on her projects—as she has done for several months—and will return to a “light programme of external engagements for the remainder of the year.” She will not, however, be making anything more than a gradual return to public life. As Middleton said herself in her landmark video statement, “the cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable… Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and Prince William, the Prince of Wales, attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall

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In the video, which showed the Waleses relaxing at home on the beaches of Norfolk and strolling through woods together, Kate touched on how cancer “brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”

“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved,” she continued. “Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life. William and I are so grateful for the support we have received and have drawn great strength from all those who are helping us at this time.”

“Everyone’s kindness, empathy and compassion has been truly humbling. To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey—I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.”

Days ago, Prince William gave a personal interview in which he detailed how “brutal” the last year had been for the family. According to MailOnline, he said, “Honestly? It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”

He continued, “But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done.”

This article was originally published by Tatler.