KATE Middleton is beaming tonight at her first major royal event since finishing chemotherapy.
The Princess of Wales, 42, has joined husband Prince William for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
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The Prince of Wales, also 42, put his hand on his wife’s back as they got out of a car.
Both wearing poppies, they were later seen in conversation after taking their seats next to each other.
Kate, in a black dress, was also sporting the late Princess Diana’s earrings and holding a Chanel clutch, while her poppy pin appeared to be RAF-themed.
She has previously worn a cluster of poppies rather than the single one.
It comes as…
The pair were shortly followed by King Charles, 75 – though he was not joined by Queen Camilla.
The royal, 77, is continuing to rest up as she recovers from a chest infection following the couple’s tour of Australia and Samoa.
The waiting crowd outside the Hall stood and applauded as the monarch entered to a royal fanfare by state trumpeters of the household division under the direction of Trumpet Major Julian Sandford MVO.
Princess Anne, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, were also among the members of the Firm in attendance.
The royals were seated together in the same box.
They watched attentively as current serving personnel paid tribute to those who lost their lives in Afghanistan at the Festival of Remembrance.
Poppies were then laid on the stage.
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria were among the other guests snapped arriving.
Kate will also appear at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph tomorrow.
RETURN TO DUTIES
It marks a significant step in the brave princess’ return to public duties, having eight months ago revealed she had an undisclosed form of cancer.
The commemorative concert and a Sunday service at the Cenotaph are among the two most important events on the royal calendar.
In a video released in September, Kate said she had finished her chemotherapy treatment.
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She also spoke of how she was “looking forward to being back at work” and taking part in “a few more” engagements in the coming months.
But Kate said her focus remained “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.
The latest public appearance also comes days after Prince William described how 2024 has been “the hardest year in my life”.
But the Prince of Wales insisted he just had to “crack on” with life.
He opened his heart in an interview with UK print media in Cape Town, where he was for the presentation earlier this week of his environmental Earthshot Prize.
William also said his wife was “doing really well” and has been “amazing this whole year”.
Camilla is still resting at her Wiltshire home Raymill.
Kate’s most recent public engagement was last month, when she made a surprise trip to meet families of the Southport knife attack victims.
At the start of October, she was also pictured hugging an aspiring teenage photographer with a rare and aggressive form of cancer – after inviting her to take photos at Windsor Castle.
Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate, and her family privately met with Kate and WIlliam after the Investiture ceremony.
Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery
Jan 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
Jan 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
Jan 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
Jan 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
Jan 29: Kate leaves hospital
Feb 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
Mar 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos
June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel’s Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”
June 14: Kensington Palace announces the princess will attend the King’s Birthday Parade
June 15: Kate beams as she joins her family at the annual Trooping the Colour event
July 14: The royal attends Wimbledon with sister Pippa and Princess Charlotte to hand out trophies to players
July 15: Kate shares a touching photo of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watching England in the Euro 2024 final
August 11: She joins a bearded Prince William in a video to congratulate Team GB in the Olympics
September 9: Kate reveals her treatment for cancer has finished
In June, Kate looked relaxed during her first day in public outing since her diagnosis when she appeared at Trooping the Colour.
A few weeks later she made another rare appearance when she presented the Wimbledon men’s final trophy to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance is staged annually on the Saturday evening of Remembrance weekend.
It honours sacrifices made by the British and Commonwealth armed forces community and includes musical performances and personal testimonies.
This year’s festival will showcase the contribution of the World War Two generation 80 years on from the D-Day landings.
It will also commemorate 25 years since Nato peacekeeping forces were deployed in Kosovo and 10 years since the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan.
Also attending are Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent will also be in attendance.
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