Touching moment Kate becomes emotional during standing ovation for heroes gathered on stage at Festival of Remembrance
AN EMOTIONAL Princess Kate came close to tears as she watched heroic war veterans take to the stage at the annual Festival of Remembrance.
The Princess of Wales, 42, stood next to husband Prince William as the pair stood up and clapped for the brave World War Two troops.
Kate’s appearance at the Royal Albert Hall was her first major event since finishing chemotherapy.
She was wearing an all black blazer and dress combo and had a poppy on to mark the occasion.
As the stylish princess walked into the grand venue she was visually beaming with joy at returning to her royal duties.
Holding a black clutch bag – believed to be Chanel – and tall matching heels, Kate was seen holding onto a supportive Wills as they went ot take their seats.
The beloved couple were sat in a royal box next to King Charles – who came alone – and Princess Anne.
They watched on as a heartfelt ceremony took place before a group of WW2 veterans took to the stage.
As a brass band played the audience all rose to their feet and started to applaud the brave troops for their service.
Footage shows a sombre Kate and Wills proudly clapping for the 1944 soldiers before the camera also pans to King Charles and Sir Keir Starmer.
One clip of Kate shows her getting emotional during the minute long spectacle as she purses her lips and appears to hold back tears.
Standing next to her Prince William looks just as moved by the touching applause.
The moment came directly after a heartbroken mum spoke about losing her son in Afghanistan.
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 also commemorates 25 years since Nato peacekeeping forces were deployed in Kosovo as well as 10 years since the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan.
The Princess of Wales will also appear at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph tomorrow.
It marks a significant step in the brave princess’ return to public duties after she stepped back for eight months following treatment on an undisclosed form of cancer.
In a video released in September, Kate said she had finished her chemotherapy treatment.
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”.
Tonight is Kate’s first appearance since she made a surprise trip to meet families of the Southport knife attack victims last month.
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 abdominal 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 pens letter to Irish Guards revealing: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”
June 15: Kate attends Trooping the Colour alongside her family
July 14: Kate attends the Wimbledon Men’s Final with Princess Charlotte
August 11: Kate and William release video congratulating Team GB after the Paris Olympics
August 25: Kate is seen heading to church
September 9: Kate shares moving video revealing she has finished chemotherapy
October 15: Kate shares hand written note during Baby Loss Awareness Week