William & Kate Attend Two Military Ceremonies in Canberra

Daily Mail/Reuters

 

William and Kate attended two Anzac Day ceremonies honoring Australia’s war dead, a pre-dawn service and then one in mid-morning, both at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

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Daily Mail/Ian Jones

 

A royal source said they both felt it was appropriate they should be at the 5am service, which was attended by thousands and was presented by Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith - who attended a party at Government House with the Royal couple on Thursday night.

Daily Mail/Ian Jones

 

At the early morning service, the Duke and Duchess stood atop the stairs next to Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lynne Cosgrove and joined in the hymns.

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Some sat with candles, while William, Kate and the others in the official party had small flash lights to read the order of service.

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Temperley London

 

Temperley London

 

The Duchess of Cambridge wrapped up in a somber black, three-quarter length buttoned up 'Noa' coat that featured a subtle quilting design by Temperley London.

Daily Mail/DFS-David Fisher/Rex Features

 

You may recall that Kate wore this frock to Remembrance Sunday services in November 2013.

Daily Mail/Ian Jones

 

Completing her outfit, the Duchess wore black tights, black heels, black leather gloves, an ivory scarf and her diamond and sapphire earrings. She also wore a sprig of rosemary pinned to her lapel. The significance of this, according to The Daily Mail, is because it was found growing in abundance on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, where 11,430 Australians and New Zealanders, represented unparalleled slaughter for the young nations.

Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX

Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX

 

Later in the morning William and Kate attended the main Anzac Day ceremony. Anzac Day is Australia's most significant anniversary. It commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars and conflicts.

Daily Mail/Jeremy Piper

 

Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX

 

As tens of thousands of people across the two nations came to a standstill, serving military veterans, including Australia's four surviving Victoria Cross recipients marched past William standing alongside Australia's Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, who took his place as the Queen’s representative in the country.

Daily Mail/PA

Daily Mail/Jeremy Piper

 

Daily Mail/Getty Images

 

Hymns were sung and the Royal couple laid a wreath of red poppies. They then bowed their heads at the Stone of Remembrance.

Daily Mail/Getty Images

 

Daily Mail/Getty Images

 

Following the wreath laying, the Duke and Duchess walked the short distance to the memorial's Hall of Memory where they laid small posies of rosemary and Australian native plants including Kangaroo Paw on the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.

Telegraph/Gary Ramage/Getty Images

 

Telegraph/Gary Ramage/Getty Images

 

After respects at the tomb of the unknown soldier were paid, William and Kate toured the corridor inscribed with the names of those who died in The First World War.

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Telegraph/Eddie Mulholland

Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX

 

Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX

 

The couple then signed their names in the visitors' books and planted an Aleppo Pine sapling derived from seeds gathered after the battle of Lone Pine.

Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX

 

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Looking elegant as always, the Duchess of Cambridge sported an indigo, twill jacquard swing coat (£1,870) from American designer Michael Kors. It is part the designers Spring 2014 ready to wear collection.

 

 

Hatmaker

 

On her head, Kate donned the 'Boutton' headpiece (AUS $540.00) in 'Duchess Navy' by Australian milliner, Jonathan Howard. It features a felt button with flying bow trim.

 

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According to news.com.au, Mr. Howard was contacted in January by Kensington Palace and asked to create a piece or pieces for the 2014 tour. For additional information www.hatmaker.com.au

 

Daily Mail/James Whitling/Splash News

 

Stuart Weitzman

 

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Asprey London

 

Completing her ensemble, the Duchess wore her blue suede Alexander McQueen bespoke heels, her matching blue ‘Muse’ clutch by Stuart Weitzman for Russell & Bromley, her diamond and sapphire drop earrings and her three-charm 'Woodland' necklace from Asprey London.

 

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Kate was also given a Russian Imperial Crimson Anemone Pin the night before by Emma Roberts-Smith, wife of Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, one of three surviving Australians who won the Victoria Cross in Afghanistan, which she wore pinned to her lapel along with a sprig of rosemary.

 

store.metmuseum.org

 

The pin was available at The Met Store for $85 and went on sale for $42.50. It is currently sold out.

 

Additional Info:

 

 'Among the exquisite works produced in Peter Carl Fabergé’s (Russian, 1846–1920) studios is the Imperial Anemones (19th–20th century), a fanciful creation featuring a “bouquet” of gold, enamel, and jade blossoms gathered in a rock crystal vase.

This sumptuous Fabergé object was owned until 1918 by the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. Now in The Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collection, it is on long- term loan to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Produced in cooperation with the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collection.

24K gold overlay and jet overlay, hand enameled, made with Swarovski Elements.'