Kate Middleton’s Striking Look Sends a Message at Royal Concert on VE Day Anniversary

After attending the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey earlier, the Prince and Princess of Wales honored the 80th anniversary of VE Day at a special concert

Kate Middleton and Prince William are continuing VE Day celebrations with King Charlesand Queen Camilla.

On May 8, the Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprise second appearance of the day, attending a celebratory concert at Horse Guards Parade concluding the U.K.’s VE Day (Victory in Europe) commemorations.

Princess Kate, 43, stood out in an all-white ensemble, mixing timeless glamour with a modern edge in a structured blazer and feminine skirt. She carried a black clutch and pulled her hair back into a half-up style, accessorized with a statement bow. For jewelry, Kate paired oversized stud earrings with a multi-strand pearl necklace.

After spending most of 2024 out of the spotlight amid her cancer diagnosis and treatment, the Princess of Wales returned to royal work this year. The concert marked her third appearance of the week as the royals commemorated VE Day’s 80th anniversary and a confident return to the spotlight.

Prince William, 42, and Princess Kate joined the King, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, among the concert’s 12,000 attendees, taking their seats in the royal box. Also in the exclusive seating area were six veterans and Londoners who had been evacuated from the city as children during the war.

Upon arrival, William and Kate spoke to some of the veterans in attendance, including a 107-year-old bomber pilot who took part in 62 missions, per the BBC.

The members of the royal box — led by King Charles — stood in tribute after presenter Zoe Ball praised the veterans in attendance.

The network said that VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember will combine music, storytelling and tributes “in a moving salute to those who served and sacrificed during World War II.” The star-studded lineup of performers includes Samantha Barks, Fleur East, John Newman and Calum Scott, plus cameos by Joan Collins, Mary Berry and Brian Cox.

King Charles recalled in a speech how 80 years ago, his grandfather King George “announced to the nation and the Commonwealth that ‘the dreadful shadow of war has passed from our hearths and our homes.’ “

“His words echo down through history as all this week, and especially today, we unite to celebrate and remember with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible,” the King said. “While our greatest debt is owed to all those who paid the ultimate price, we should never forget how the war changed the lives of virtually everyone.”

“Now, as then, we are united in giving utmost thanks to all those who served in the Armed Forces, the uniformed services, the Home Front — indeed, all the people of this country, the Commonwealth and beyond whose firm resolve and fortitude helped destroy Nazism and carry our allied nations through to V.E. Day. That debt can never truly be repaid; but we can, and we will, remember them.”