Beaming Kate is supported by William at 1st major event since chemo as he puts arm around her at Festival of Remembrance

PRINCESS KATE was beaming tonight at her first major royal event since finishing chemotherapy.

The Princess of Wales, 42, joined her husband Prince William for the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, London.

Throughout the poignant evening, Kate was supported by William as she returned to royal duties for the first time since the end of her chemotherapy.

The 42-year-old who will also be at the Cenotaph tomorrow will have carried out official engagements on consecutive days for the first time since last December.

While Kate has been dealing with her health at home, her husband has been by her side as much as possible, only taking his first foreign trip since her diagnosis last week when he went to South Africa.

This evening, he was beside his beaming wife as they joined servicemen and women, their families, and other guests to pay tribute to those who died for their country.

On arrival, the Prince of Wales, also 42, put a protective hand on his wife's back as they got out of a car to waiting crowds of onlookers.

Kate returned the favour by placing an arm on his back as they greeted officials welcoming them to the venue.

Just before William guided his wife up the stairs into the Hall, he kept a steady hand on her lower back while shaking the hands of one of the greeters.

When the Prince and Princess of Wales left the venue, again, William placed a gentle hand on his wife's lower back, guiding her down the steps to their awaiting car.

The royal couple were later seen chatting and smiling as they took their seats next to each other in the royal box.

Kate donned a black blazer dress for the event and was sporting the late Princess Diana's earrings and holding a Chanel clutch, while her poppy pin was an RAF insignia.

Rather than wearing a cluster of poppies as she has done in the past for remembrance events, the Princess wore just one on the left side of her chest.

Throughout the evening, Kate was seen close to tears as she applauded the heroes of 1944 who had gathered on stage to receive a standing ovation.

King Charles, 75, was also in attendance, though was not joined by Queen Camilla.

The royal, 77, is continuing to rest up as she recovers from a chest infection following the couple's tour of Australia and Samoa.

It comes as...

• Prince William puts a protective arm around Kate
•  They take their seats next to King Charles
•  Princess Kate made a touching tribute to Princess Diana
•  King Charles arrives alone without Camilla

The waiting crowd outside the Hall stood and applauded as the monarch entered to royal fanfare by state trumpeters of the household division under the direction of Trumpet Major Julian Sandford MVO.

Charles received further applause as he took his seat and later paid tribute to NATO which has reached its 75th anniversary, marked by a performance during the event.

Princess Anne, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, were also seen in the royal box.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also seen arriving at the venue for the event.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria were also among the other guests snapped arriving.

Saturday's event honoured sacrifices made by the British and Commonwealth armed forces community and included musical performances and personal testimonies.

The royals watched as bereaved families of soldiers gathered in the centre of the hall.

Poppies were laid on the stage before the royals joined in the singing of the hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer and Charles waved to the crowd after a rendition of the national anthem.

Kate will tomorrow appear at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.

RETURN TO DUTIES

It marks a significant step in the brave princess' return to public duties, having eight months ago revealed she had an undisclosed form of cancer.

The commemorative concert and a Sunday service at the Cenotaph are among the two most important events on the royal calendar.

It will be the first time she has carried out two consecutive days of public official engagements since the start of the year.

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".

The latest public appearance also comes days after Prince William described how 2024 has been "the hardest year in my life".

'CRACK ON'

But the Prince of Wales insisted he just had to "crack on" with life.

He opened his heart in an interview with UK print media in Cape Town, where he was for the presentation earlier this week of his environmental Earthshot Prize.

William also said his wife was "doing really well" and has been "amazing this whole year".

Camilla is still resting at her Wiltshire home Raymill.

Kate's most recent public engagement was last month, when she made a surprise trip to meet families of the Southport knife attack victims.

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.

In June, Kate looked relaxed during her first day in public outing since her diagnosis when she appeared at Trooping the Colour.

A few weeks later she made another rare appearance when she presented the Wimbledon men’s final trophy to Carlos Alcaraz.

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 will also commemorate 25 years since Nato peacekeeping forces were deployed in Kosovo and 10 years since the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan.

Also attending are Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent will also be in attendance.