Kate Middleton wears rarely-seen ruby and diamond earrings as she makes historic solo appearance on Armistice Day

In an especially moving moment, the Princess of Wales listened as a poem that she commissioned was read aloud. ‘A Sonnet For Us All’, by the National Memorial Arboretum’s Poet in Residence, Arji Manuelpillai, reflects the importance of personal connections and bonds that are forged through military service. These themes are said to be ‘particularly close to the Princess’s heart’, focusing as they do on her passion for social education and mental health.

Speaking of his work and its importance to Catherine, Manuelpillai said: ‘These human connections, and the gentle responsibility to carry love forward, are themes that resonate not only with me, but also with HRH The Princess of Wales, for whom the importance of service and compassion lies especially close to the heart.’

The Princess chose the ruby earrings to mark VE Day earlier this year

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Writing on Instagram, the poet explained the moment that the Princess of Wales asked him to craft the piece for Armistice Day: ‘In a quiet meeting room, I was told that Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine liked my poems and she wanted me to write one which encompassed her views and thoughts,’ adding that ‘to write for Her Royal Highness is the honour of my career so far.’

Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales has delivered an impassioned video message for school children as part of the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Assembly. Masterminded in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, the annual Assembly includes the two-minute silence and sees Prince William join JJ Chalmers and several veterans of the Second World War to encourage young people to connect with the concept of remembrance.

‘We have not forgotten, and we will not forget’: Prince William delivered a heartfelt message of remembrance to school children during the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Assembly