The Princess of Wales joins Prince William and King Charles at Remembrance Sunday service - best photos

For the poignant occasion, Princess Kate looked elegant dressed in a black button-down coat dress complete with a velvet bow.

She wore her glossy chestnut tresses in a chignon, and accessorised with a netted button hat and diamond and pearl drop earrings which previously belonged to the late Queen. 

In a nod to her role as the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, Kate completed her look with her silver Queen's Dragoon Guards brooch. 

She took her place above the Cenotaph alongside Duchess Sophie in the balcony in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Echoing Kate's outfit, Sophie opted to wear a sophisticated black dress complete with a cowl neckline. She elevated her ensemble with a wide-brim hat, a string of pearls and sparkling earrings. 

The royal mother-of-three was seen joining in with the national anthem, and singing alongside Sophie for a hymn as they held their song sheets.

In a tender show of affection, Duchess Sophie was photographed placing a supportive hand on Kate's shoulder as they walked back inside. 

Joining them at the Commonwealth and Development Office were the Duke of Kent and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.  

Prince William donned his Royal Air Force uniform while King Charles looked smart in his Royal Navy uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet. 

As a mark of respect, the royals all wore red poppies to acknowledge those who died during conflict. The late Queen Elizabeth II used to wear five poppies and it is thought that they represented each service in the war: the Army, the Navy, the RAF, the Civil Defence and women.

When the bells of Big Ben tolled eleven, a single gun on Horse Guards Parade was fired and two minutes of complete silence was held in remembrance of all lost in war.

After a further round of gunfire signifying the end of the silence, the bugle call 'The Last Post' was played.

During the service, the monarch, who is Head of the British Armed Forces, laid the first wreath at the Cenotaph. 

His wreath closely resembled a floral tribute produced for his grandfather King George VI – 41 open-style poppy petals made from bonded fabric mounted on black leaves, traditional for a sovereign's wreath and featuring a tied ribbon in the colours of the King’s racing silk – scarlet, purple and gold. 

Major Ollie Plunket laid a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty. Queen Camilla's wreath resembled the wreath produced for HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

It featured 95 closed style poppy petals made from bonded fabric and ribbon using the colours from the Queen's racing silk - brown, red and yellow. 

Prince William also laid a wreath during the service. 

Also in attendance at the national memorial service were Princess Anne, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Kent as well as politicians, the armed forces and some 10,000 veterans.