William and Kate commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's death anniversary at cathedral

Prince and Princess of Wales mark Queen Elizabeth II's death anniversary with private service at St Davids Cathedral.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived at St Davids Cathedral to commemorate the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's passing with a private service. William and Kate made their way to the cathedral in St Davids, the smallest city in Britain, located in Pembrokeshire. This visit comes exactly one year after the nation mourned the loss of its longest-reigning monarch, who peacefully passed away at the age of 96.

Despite a delay caused by foggy weather, the couple received a warm welcome from approximately 300 well-wishers who had gathered in the cathedral grounds. During their visit, William and Kate, with the latter dressed in a burgundy coat by Eponine, will participate in a 10-minute private service in the cloisters. Clergy, the choir, and 20 specially invited guests will also be in attendance.

The cathedral choir will sing "Thou Knowest, Lord, The Secrets Of Our Hearts," a song that was performed during the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey. Following the service, Kate will place a bouquet of flowers, including ivy, eucalyptus, white roses, and waxflowers, next to a portrait of the late Queen.

St Davids Cathedral has held great significance as a site of pilgrimage and worship for over 1,400 years. It was founded by St David, the patron saint of Wales, and his monastic community in the sixth century. Since the Reformation, one of the quire stalls in the cathedral has been reserved for the Crown and is known as the Sovereign's Stall.

This unique feature sets St Davids apart as the only cathedral in the UK where the sovereign has a designated stall among the members of the chapter, the governing body of the cathedral. Queen Elizabeth II was the first monarch to visit St Davids Cathedral since the Reformation. She and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the site during a royal tour of Wales in August 1955, shortly after her coronation.

In 1995, St Davids officially became a city when Queen Elizabeth II presented the town council with letters patent, elevating its status to that of a full city council. The cathedral holds a special place in the Queen's history. In 1982, she performed the Maundy money ceremony, a tradition in which the monarch distributes money to pensioners to commemorate Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper. Her most recent visit to the cathedral was in 2001.

St Davids Cathedral continues to be a popular destination, attracting around 300,000 visitors each year. Its rich history, royal connections, and spiritual significance make it a cherished place of worship and a symbol of Welsh heritage.

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