Duchess Kate and Prince William made a subtle update on their Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) pages early Thursday morning (11/13). The new profile picture shows the pair attending the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in November 2024. The switch is not just aesthetic, but follows a growing practice within the British royal family of tweaking visual elements on social media during memorial services.
Kate and William at the 2024 Remembrance Festival
The symbolism behind the gesture
Remembrance Day, as it is called in Portuguese, is held on 11 November each year to pay tribute to British and Commonwealth soldiers who have served and died in conflict. It is a tradition deeply tied to the Royal Family, which has maintained strong military ties for generations.
Please also read
-
Igor Gadelha
Behind the scenes of Lula and Prince William’s meeting in Belém
-
Claudia Meirelles
Find out everything about what happened at Prince William’s awards ceremony
-
Claudia Meirelles
Prince William reveals how Duchess Kate had to fight cancer
-
Claudia Meirelles
Understanding the relationship between Andrew and Epstein that led to Charles’ punishment
Duchess Kate and Prince William’s profiles highlight their black outfits with the iconic red poppy brooch. This brooch has been considered a historical symbol of homage since 1921. Prince William also appeared with his military medals, underscoring the solemn nature of the date.
Additionally, the cover photo of the official X account was replaced with a poppy field, creating a direct visual homage to John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields.” John McCrae’s images of World War I battlefield flowers continue to inspire this symbol to this day.
Kate and Camilla with meaningful brooches
The digital tradition of the monarchy
In recent years, it has become common for members of the royal family to adjust their profile images during the mourning period. The photographs are typically preserved for several days and serve as memorials and tributes, modernized to adapt to the digital age. King Charles had already made changes a few days earlier, tightening practices between different family groups.
red poppy commemorating the military
George makes debut at memorial festival
The selected new images also highlight special moments. The night before, Duchess Kate and Prince William attended an event that brought 12-year-old Prince George to a memorial festival for the first time.
George attends memorial festival for the first time
The surprise appearance is part of what royal sources describe as a “slow game” strategy in which the couple introduce their son to royal duties slowly, always on their own terms.
For more information, follow Vida&Estilo profile on Instagram.
About The Author
