The Princess of Wales joined Prince William in commemorating the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death with an unannounced appearance at the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI) in Sunningdale, west of London, reported People.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the National Federation of Women’s Institutes.(Instagram/princeandprincessofwales)
Although Prince William had been scheduled to attend the engagement, Kate’s attendance was not publicised in advance. Royal sources told MailOnline that Kate Middleton was ‘keen to join her husband to commemorate and celebrate the life of the late Queen’.
Dressed in an elegant grey check midi dress and diamond stud earrings by Kiki McDonough, Kate paid tribute to the Queen, who had been a dedicated member of the WI for eight decades.
Remembering the late Queen’s legacy
As per another Tatler report, during their visit, the royal couple met with WI members to learn about its role in empowering women, offering social opportunities, and supporting community initiatives. Her association with the organisation began in 1943 and served as president of the Sandringham WI from 2003 until her demise in 2022.
The Queen was known to attend the group’s annual New Year meeting and frequently participated in light-hearted activities. In 2017, she delighted members by attending after an illness, and in 2016, she joined in a special celebration for her 90th birthday, the Tatler report added.
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Prince Harry pays private tribute
While William and Kate marked the day publicly, Prince Harry paid his respects in private. According to People, the Duke of Sussex visited St George’s Chapel and Windsor Castle, where his grandmother is buried, laying a wreath of flowers in her memory.
As per People, Harry, who is in London for the WellChild Awards, is not expected to reunite with his brother during the visit. The overlapping schedules of William’s royal duties and Harry’s public appearances highlight ongoing tensions within the family.
In the meantime, King Charles and Queen Camilla marked Accession Day in private at Balmoral, and went to a service at Crathie Kirk, where prayers were said both for the King’s reign and for Katharine, Duchess of Kent who died on September 4.
FAQsQ1: Why did Kate Middleton attend the WI visit?
Kate joined Prince William to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who was an active member of the WI for 80 years.
Q2: What did Kate wear for the occasion?
She wore a grey check midi dress paired with diamond stud earrings by Kiki McDonough.
Q3: Where did Prince Harry pay his tribute?
Harry visited St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where the late Queen is buried, and laid a wreath of flowers.
Q4: Was Queen Elizabeth involved in the WI?
Yes, she joined in 1943 and served as president of the Sandringham WI from 2003 until her passing in 2022.
Q5: Did the brothers meet during the anniversary?
No. Prince William and Prince Harry marked the occasion separately and are not expected to meet.