The Duchess of Cambridge took centre stage as she watched the Remembrance Sunday service in London alongside the Duchess of Cornwall and Sophie Wessex today.
Kate looked solemn as she stood in the middle with Camilla and Sophie at her sides on a balcony of the Foreign Office while Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward were below as they laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
However, missing from the balcony was the Queen, who has sprained her back and was unable to attend today's Remembrance Sunday service. In previous years, the Queen had stood on the balcony at the centre of Kate and Camilla.
All three women, Kate, Camilla and Sophie, were dressed in black hats and coats that had poppies pinned to them. Kate's Alexander McQueen coat was one she had previously worn to the same event in 2018.
It came as Charles looked emotional and almost teary-eyed as he led the nation in paying tribute to its war dead.
He looked sombre as he observed the two-minute silence before laying a wreath on behalf of the Queen and one for himself.
He was followed by Prince William, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, who also placed wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Earlier today, Buckingham Palace said Her Majesty was "disappointed" to miss the event held annually at the Cenotaph in London.
She was set to lead the nation in commemorating the war dead during her first in-person public engagement since going into hospital.
Buckingham Palace insisted her back strain was not connected to the recent hospital stay where she was forced to spend the night at the King Edward VII in Marylebone last month to undergo “preliminary investigations” for an unknown condition.
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A royal source said: “It is the most unfortunate timing for Her Majesty who recently had a short break to Sandringham in Norfolk for a few days and was left feeling rested and recuperated on her return to Windsor Castle.
“On conversation with royal doctors it was decided that a back sprain is not conducive with a car journey and a period of standing.
“Her Majesty is deeply disappointed to miss the ceremony.”
The Queen has only ever missed six Remembrance Sunday events in her 69-year reign before today - four due to being abroad on royal tours and two when she was pregnant.
In a statement, the Palace said it was with "great regret" the Queen would be unable to attend the service.
The statement said: "The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph. Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.
"As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty's behalf by The Prince of Wales.
"His Royal Highness, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned."
