At the end of a day ofcommemorations of wartime heroismfor the 75th anniversary of D-Day,Kate Middletonadded her solidarity with armed forces members.
The royal, who wore a cream coat dress from her go-to designer Catherine Walker & Co. topped with her Irish Guards gold shamrock brooch, took the salute at a military parade that helps herald the celebrations ofQueen Elizabeth’s official birthday on Saturday.
It marks the first time that the mom of three, 37, has received the salute at the spectacular musical show, known as Beating the Retreat, which saw 750 soldiers from the Household Division entertain 13,000 spectators with military music, horsemanship, precision drill, pageantry and fireworks.
The name Beating the Retreat dates back to the 16th century and refers to a drum call that was used to recall units to their garrison. It has evolved into a musical ceremonial event. The Horse Guards Parade takes place every year for two nights just before the Queen’s Birthday Parade, also known asTrooping the Colour.
Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
Kate Middleton.Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
Kate Middleton.
This year’s show is themed around “Icons of a Nation” and captures the varied roles of the Household Division’s soldiers. The servicemen and women, famous for guarding royal palaces and residences, helping to mark the State Opening of Parliament and parading for the Queen’s Birthday, wore their ceremonial uniforms as they created the show of music and displays of precise marching formations.
The music program included the theme music fromThe Longest Day, a film about the Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944, while the finale included “The Earl of Mansfield,” “Theme from Henry V” and “The Lord’s My Shepherd/Amazing Grace.” The evening ended with the moving “Last Post” played.
Kate Middleton.Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
It’s been a busy week for the royal family. After three days of the state visit in which the Queen, 93, hostedPresident Donald Trump, and thesolemn celebrations of the valorof those who took part in D-Day 75 years ago, they will mark the Queen’s birthday this weekend on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
source: people.com
