The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s official Instagram page shared photos of Kate Middleton in full military gear in honor of the UK’s Armed Forces Day on Saturday.
During a trip to Pirbright Training Academy last November, Middleton trained with new recruits and serving personnel with the 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade at Abingdon Airfield, according to People.
“Today on Armed Forces Day, William and I would like to pay tribute to the brave men and women, past and present, serving in all of our armed forces, at sea, on land and in the air, here in the UK and around the world. Thank you for all you and your families sacrifice to keep us safe,” Middleton posted on Instagram.
“Last year, I was honoured to spend time with the @BritishArmy to see how they train serving personnel and new recruits. It was wonderful to see first-hand the many important and varied roles the military play day in, day out to protect us all, and I look forward to discovering more about the @RoyalNavy and @RoyalAirForceUK in due course,” she added.
Last week, Middleton and her husband Prince William – the Duke of Cambridge – attended the unveiling of their first official combined portrait. The event was held at the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum.
“It has been the most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture,” said award-winning British portrait artist Jamie Coreth. “I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified.”
“As it is the first portrait to depict them together, and specifically during their time as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, I wanted the image to evoke a feeling of balance between their public and private lives,” he continued. “The piece was commissioned as a gift for the people of Cambridgeshire, and I hope they will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed creating it.”
The Cambridgeshire Royal Portrait Fund commissioned the joint portrait in 2021. The painting features Middleton in a metallic emerald dress that was worn by the Duchess during a 2020 trip to Dublin, Ireland. Prince William is depicted in a dark suit with a blue tie.
