The Duchess of Sussex cut a chic figure in a black Dior dress today, but despite wearing a plain outfit Meghan was the only female royal not to wear a brooch to today’s commemorations for the RAF’s centenary.
However, Meghan’s lack of adornment was not down to a fashion choice.
The former Suits star didn’t wear a brooch as all the other female family members are cadets or hold honorary positions with a base or squadron.
Sophie Wessex, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Anne all wore brooches related to their positions within the RAF.
As the Honorary Air Commandant of the RAF Kate could be seen wearing Air Cadets Dacre brooch, known to be the highest award any female cadet can achieve as she arrived at Westminster Abbey for the service.
She was presented with the piece by the Air Cadets when she took on her patronage in 2015.
Meghan was the only female member of the royal family not to wear a brooch to today’s service at Westminster Abbey, as she doesn’t yet have an honorary position with the RAF
Kate was seen wearing the Air Cadets Dacre brooch, known to be the highest award any female cadet can achieve
Sophie Countess of Wessex is Honorary Air Commodore of HMS Daring, 5th Battalion, the Rifles (5 Rifles) and RAF Wittering.
The Duchess of Cornwall, who is Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Halton, also wore her RAF brooch, while Princess Anne donned a gold version in a nod to her role as Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Brize Norton.
Meanwhile, the Queen – who is Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces – sported her Jardine Star brooch, a late-Victorian diamond star design which she was left by Lady Jardine in 1981.
The largest concentration of military aircraft in recent memory formed in the skies above London today to mark 100 years of the RAF.
The Duchess of Cornwall wore a silver RAF pin as a nod to her role as Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Halton. Sophie, Countess of Wessex holds the same position at HMS Daring, 5th Battalion, the Rifles (5 Rifles) and RAF Wittering
Up to 100 jets, helicopters and aeroplanes from across a range of different eras of RAF history roared over central London, much to the delight of the thousands who gathered to watch the spectacle from below.
The Queen, 92, looked up in wonder at the aeronautical display, which celebrated the history of the RAF and featured the return of Second World War aircraft including the Spitfires and Lancaster bombers.
She was joined on the balcony by her sons, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, the Duchess of Cornwall and the ‘Fab Four’: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Princess Anne wore a gold version of the RAF brooch worn by Camilla. The Princess Royal is Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Brize Norton
The Queen wore her favourite Jardine Star brooch to the service at Westminster Abbey this morning
The royals looked to the skies as aircraft roared overhead, including the RAF’s new cutting-edge stealth fighter F-35 jets, in what was their first ever public appearance.
The display also featured helicopters including the Puma, Chinook, Juno and Jupiter.
Earlier the family attended a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, a day after attending Prince Louis’ Christening, which the Queen missed due to her packed schedule.
It marked a rare public appearance for the Duchess of Cambridge who is remaining largely out of the limelight while on maternity leave following Louis’ birth in April.
Left to right: Prince Charles, Prince Andrew (behind), the Duchess of Cornwall, the Queen, the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
A Second World War Lancaster bomber and Spitfires fly in formation above the crowds gathered in central London
Vintage military aircraft perform a fly past over the Queen Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace
Royally rushed off their feet! This afternoon, Harry and Meghan will join royals at a Buckingham Palace reception to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force. Their Royal Highnesses will meet RAF servicemen and women
The Duchess of Cambridge, 36, looked elegant in a mint-coloured coat and matching hat for the occasion
More than 2,200 people packed Westminster Abbey for the service, with dignitaries including Prime Minister Theresa May, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attending.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, addressed the congregation and said the RAF has in its first 100 years been a decisive factor in serving the country, as well as being key in protecting democracy and freedom.
With an RAF ensign draped over the high altar behind him in the abbey, Mr Welby also highlighted how members of his own family have served and been killed in the RAF – drawing attention to his own father who flew low level sorties in Burma.
Kate’s air cadets Dacre brooch: The highest of honours
It was hard to miss Kate’s spectacular brooch that could be seen below the collar of her Alexander McQueen coat that she wore during the RAF centenary today.
However, some may be surprised to see it on the Duchess as The Dacre Brooch is usually only bestowed to those who are Air Cadets themselves and is said to be the highest honour that a female cadet can achieve.
The tradition of the brooch originated in 1979 when Mrs Elizabeth Dacre MBE TD JP presented to the Air Training Corps the dress sword of her late husband, Air Commodore G B Dacre CBE DSO DL RAF to be awarded to the ‘ATC Cadet of the Year.’
As girls began to join the cadets in 1982, Mrs Dacre presented the Corps with a diamond and ruby brooch mounted on a sash, for presentation to the best female cadet.
The Duchess of Cambridge, who yesterday attended her son Prince Louis’ christening, sported a large diamond brooch
From then on each year one male member of the cadets would be awarded with the sword and a female with the sash and brooch with the selection based on their all-round performance throughout the year.
This tradition took place until last year when it was decided that the girls should receive the Dacre sword like their male counterparts.
Ms Conder who was the best female cadet in 2015 told the Telegraph: ‘It is quite an honour (to wear the brooch). I was the last cadet to wear it, and now she is wearing it. It is the best accesory.’
Although the Duchess is not a cadet they seem to think she was deserving of the brooch. A spokesperson from Buckingham Palace says that the cadets presented the brooch to the Duchess as a gift following her appointment as Honorary Air Commandant of the organisation.
Source: Royal Air Force Air Cadets
When it came to her ensemble the mother-of-three proved that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it as she wore the same Alexander McQueen coat worn to Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding but in a pale blue