The Duke andDuchess of Cambridgewill meet Grenfell Tower and terror attack victims today as they visit personnel from across the emergency services.
William and Kate began their day at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in CentralLondon.
The new independent charity will provide an emergency response to disasters in the UK, and has been set up after several terror attacks since 2017.
Kate was believed to be wearing a Women of the First World War poppy brooch worth £ 29. 99 for at least the second year in a row.
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for the National Emergencies Trust launch at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the launch of the National Emergencies Trust at St Martin-in-the-Fields today
Kate begins her day at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London this morning
Kate will meet Grenfell Tower and terror attack victims today as she visits personnel from across the emergency services
The Duchess attends the launch of the new charity today which will provide an emergency response to disasters in the UK
Kate arrives this morning for the launch of the new charity which has been set up after several terror attacks since 2017
The Duke and Duchess arrive for the launch of the National Emergencies Trust at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London today
Kate opted against wearing a cold in the chilly London breeze today, choosing instead to show off her blue A-line dress
The Duchess of Cambridge accessorised her look with a black clutch and matching patent stilettos
The Duchess donned a royal blue fit and flare dress with a chic belted waist and paired it with patent Gianvito Rossi heels and an Aspinal clutch bag
The dress is a bespoke version of Emilia Wickstead’s appropriately named ‘Kate’ dress, which she’s worn in several different variations now
The Duchess of Sussex has also been involved with projects to help the victims of Grenfell, including a cookbook which she launched after a visit to a kitchen in North Kensington, West London.
They met victims of disasters , including Grenfell and the Westminster Bridge at tack, and made a short speech marking the official inauguration of the charity.
In his speech, William said: ‘Just now and on previous occasions, it has been humbling to speak to survivors of the London Bridge and Manchester attacks, the Cumbria floods, the Grenfell Tower fire and other disasters here in the UK.
‘Their stories are as heart-breaking as they are inspiring. Their resilience and strength are deeply humbling. ‘
Kate wore Princess Diana’s glittering earrings at the engagement, pairing the dazzling diamond and sapphire drops with a cobalt blue dress.
The earrings, which can be adapted and worn as studs or as drops, are a favorite pair of Kate’s and have been worn by the Duchess on a number of high profile occasions.
The Duchess plumped for a tailored blue fit -and-flare dress for the occasion, which featured a knee-length hemline and flattering 3/4 length sleeves.
The dress boasts a wide waist belt in the same color as the dress, which served to accentuate the royal’s svelte frame.
Duke of Cambridge praises the resilience and strength of survivors at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust
In a speech delivered at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust today, The Duke of Cambridge said:
Catherine and I are very pleased to be here today at the laun ch *** of the National Emergencies Trust.
The UK is one of the most generous countries in the world in helping those in need and giving to charity.
We all know the important role that the Disasters Emergency Committee plays in channing the British public’s extraordinary generosity to respond to disasters overseas.
It is therefore only fitting that a new, national charity is able to fulfil the same function when tragedy strikes at home.
You have heard first hand from Thelma today about her experience in the 7/7 bombings in 2005.
Just now and on previous occasions, it has been humbling to speak to survivors of the London Bridge and Manchester attacks, the Cumbria floods, the Grenfell Tower fire and other disasters here in the UK.
Their stories are as heart-breaking as they are inspiring.
Their resilience and strength are deeply humbling.
In talking to survivors, I’ve always bee n inspired to hear about the help they were offered by people and organizations acting on their own initiative with immediate and heartfelt compassion.
This empathy is both natural, and remarkable.
Whenever and wherever disaster strikes here in the UK, this country has a unique way of pulling together.
From the people who donate their blood, to the children who empty their piggy banks, to the families that set aside a bedroom in their home.
The way that local communities support those affected shows the very best of our values and human nature.
But in the wake of tragedy, managing and channeling the public’s desire to help can prove tricky.
I saw this for myself on the ground in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. I therefore fully support what you are doing here today.
I’m impressed about how willing the charity sector has been to learn the lessons from previous responses, and to ensure that the quickest and most appropriate ***** is offered to those affected.
I commend the Charity Commission for initiating this work, and all the charities in the voluntary and community sector for coming together so successfully. Your cooperation is admirable. The result is an organization that you helped to design, that draws on all your strengths, and is warmly welcomed.
I am very pleased that the National Emergencies Trust now stands ready to provide a structured , organized response to help people right across the UK in the event of a domestic disaster.
Many thanks to the whole team behind the Trust for all their hard work ahead of the launch.
We all dread the day when you are needed.
But I know that, like everyone here, I am glad that you now exist.
The Duchess listened intently as her husband William greeted those at the event today before giving a speech
The Duchess arrived with a typically bouncy blow-dry, matching her royal blue dress with husband William’s dapper suit
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive to attend the launch of the National Emergencies Trust at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Traf algar Square
The duke was joined by his grandmother, the Queen, during a visit to the Grenfell site shortly after the blaze in June 2017
The charity is celebrating its 30 th anniversary this year, and will hear a speech from William after he meets crew members, former patients and other supporters
Typically polished, the Duchess finished the look with a pair of black patent heels and a matching black patent leather clutch bag. She wore her brunette locks in her signature bouncy blow dry.
The duke was joined by his grandmother, the Queen, during a visit to the Grenfell site shortly after the blaze in June 2017.
In the evening, William will attend the London Air Ambulance charity gala in central London.
The duke worked as a pilot for the East Anglia Air Ambulance, and became a patron of the London organization in January.
The charity is celebrating its 30 th anniversary this year, and will hear a speech from William after he meets crew members, former patients and other supporters.
The windswept Duchess of Cambridge began the day at the launch of the National Emergencies Trust in central London
The Duke of Cambridge meets a team of firefighters during a visit to West London in June 2017 following the Grenfell fire
Queen Elizabeth II meets firefighters during her visit to the Westway Sports Center in West London in June 2017
The Duke of Sussex sits next to Kate and William for a Grenfell memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral in December 2017
Meghan, her mother Doria and Harry launch a cookbook with women affected by Grenfell at Kensington Palace last autumn
Poorly Camilla pulls out of engagement with Harry and Meghan
The Duchess of Cornwall drinks a cup of tea during a visit to Swiss Cottage Farmers’ Market in North West London yesterday
The Duchess of Cornwall has had to pull out of a remembrance service at Westminster Abbey today because of a chest infection.
Camilla was due to attend the event with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but was told by her doctor to cancel her engagements owing to a chest infection which has got progressively worse over the last few days.
The Duchess is patron of the Poppy Factory in south-west London where remembrance poppies are made.
Royal sources say Camilla is ‘deeply disappointed’ not to be able to attend the Field of Remembrance service and is ‘determined to do everything she can to be well enough for the major events of the coming weekend.’
A Clarence House spokesman said: ‘The Duchess of Cornwall has been told by her doctor to cancel her engagements owing to a chest infection which has got progressively worse over the last few days.’
Last night, she had to pull out of attending a gala dinner at the London Library to mark the 200 th anniversary of the birth of Prince Albert on medical advice.
Archie is CRAWLING and has two teeth! Proud Harry and Meghan share details of six-month-old son as they pay tribute to military families who ‘hold it together back home’ while partners serve abroad
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared details about life with baby son Archie as he turns six months old – telling a group of military families that he is beginning to crawl and has two teeth.
Prince Harry also praised those who maintain a home life while their partner is away on operations and sympathised with service personnel missing out on their child’s development while serving abroad.
The couple met families from the Welsh Guards, Coldstream Guards and Household Cavalry when they visited a coffee morning at Windsor’s Broom Farm Community Center yesterday, in the heart of an Army housing estate.
Photographs and details of Harry and Meghan’s visit were released at 9am this morning in an Instagram post on the couple’s Sussex Royal account, which told how they ‘surprised their neighbors in Windsor ‘.
Harry – who returned from his visit to Japan for the Rugby World Cup final on Sunday – wore a Royal British Legion poppy on a blue jumper on top of a shirt and animatedly received a cake from a young girl called Poppy Dean.
Poppy Dean gives a cake to The Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Broom Farm Community Center in Windsor yesterday
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex speak to members of the families of serving soldiers during the visit in Windsor yesterday
Meghan speaks to a family as she attends a coffee morning with families of deployed Army personnel at the center yesterday
Meghan, who wore a white blouse and black skirt, sported her poppy on a khaki green coat – and crouched down as she spoke to the children.
It comes after Harry sent the England rugby squad a picture of Archie in a Red Rose jersey in a good luck message last week, before the final which they lost to South Africa.
Today, the Duchess of Sussex will make her first visit to Westminster Abbey’s ‘Field of Remembrance’ as she joins her husband and mother-in-law, the Duchess of Cornwall, to honor the nation’s war dead.
The majority of the Coldstream Guards are on exercise in Kenya and a large proportion of the Welsh Guards are coming to the end of a long deployment to the Falklands.
Harry, who served for 10 years as an Army officer, said he was in awe of military families holding it together back home, saying: ‘It’s unbelievably hard. I have so much respect and admiration for anyone who has to deal with that. ‘
The Sussexes took Archie to southern Africa last month for their first official tour as a family and the duke empathized with service personnel who are away from their children.
The royal couple meet families from the Welsh Guards, Coldstream Guards and Household Cavalry in Windsor yesterday
The Duchess of Sussex puts her hand out to a child from the family of a soldier in The Welsh Guards yesterday
Harry also praised those who maintain a home life while their partner is away on operations during the visit today
Meghan chatted to parents on the visit to the center in Windsor yesterday about her son, who was six months old yesterday
He said: ‘I can’t imagine what it’s like to miss so much as they change so quickly.’
Harry and Meghan’s post on their Instagram page
Yesterday, The Duke and Duchess surprised their neighbors in Windsor at a coffee morning for military families in a community center located in the heart of the Army housing estate. Every year during the month of November we pause to remember and honor all those who have served their country here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world. Their Royal Highnesses also wanted to show support for the families of service personnel who are currently deployed overseas.
As we lead up to Remembrance Sunday, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will join Her Majesty The Queen and other Members of the Royal Family at various commemoration events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and the Cenotaph.
During the visit yesterday , Their Royal Highnesses met with young families who shared their experiences as parents and as couples who are often apart from their loved ones for months at a time. A reminder that a life of service does not simply describe the person wearing the uniform, but the entire family.
# Remembrance #Lestweforget
Meghan chatted to parents about her son, who was six months old yesterday, and shared stories about his development with Amy Thompson, whose husband Brad is attached to the Welsh Guards.
Ms Thompson said: ‘My daughter Aeris is the same age as Archie and we talked about weaning and the children beginning to crawl – she’s just a normal mum and it was like talking to a friend.’
During the visit, Harry was pictured holding a little girl while Meghan high-fived a toddler.
Army spouse Leigh Smith took her eight-year- old daughter Molly to meet the royal visitors and the youngster said: ‘Meghan promised not to tell anyone that I was off school. She asked me who my best friend was. ‘
Ms Smith added:’ We had a party when Harry and Meghan got married and we’ve followed their story ever since, so it was an amazing experience for Molly to shake hands with them. It’s really special and a lovely boost for the whole community. ‘
Coldstream Guards welfare officer Captain Colin Lewis said the visit was a welcome tonic after a tough Months.
The officer said: ‘The regiment are really appreciative of the support the families provide by picking up the burden when the service person is away.
‘ It’s great for the duke and duchess to take the time to truly understand the challenges they face.
Harry, who served for 10 years as an Army officer, said he was in awe of military families holding it together back home
The Sussexes made the visit to the center one month after they took Archie to southern Africa for their first official tour
The Duchess of Sussex receives a posy of flowers from Bonnie and Maggie Emanuel (mother and daughter) yesterday
Photographs and details of the visit were released at 9am today in an Instagram post on the couple’s Sussex Royal account
‘They are very down to earth and they’ve had a snapshot of the entire community here by talking to lots of people from different backgrounds.’
Tariq Baksh, from the Household Cavalry welfare team, also felt that the couple could relate to many of the families as young parents, saying: ‘They’re a modern family and completely empathized with people – our families realized that they’re no different. ‘
Helen Llewelyn-Usher, wife of Welsh Guards Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Henry Llewelyn-Usher, said the visit will help families to make new friends.
She said: ‘It’s amazing that Harry and Meghan found time to fit this in to their busy schedule – they shook hands with every single person. It brought together lots of people and now they will always have this amazing memory in common. ‘
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