The Princess of Wales has never missed the National Service of Remembrance since she married Prince William in 2011
Kate Middleton will join the royal family for the annual Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Sunday after completing chemotherapy.
On Nov. 9, the Princess of Wales, 42, will join her husband Prince William and other family members for the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall, according to Buckingham Palace. She will then take part in the royals’ traditional appearance at The Cenotaph war memorial in London to remember those who died in war and conflict on Remembrance Sunday, Nov. 10.
Remembrance Sunday is observed on the second Sunday of every November in the U.K., and the royal family’s website calls The Cenotaph ceremony “the focal point of the nation’s homage.”
This weekend will mark Princess Kate’s first appearance at major ceremonial events since she announced on Sept. 9 that she completed chemo, after sharing in March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
Buckingham Palace confirmed on Nov. 8 that King Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent would attend the Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Sunday. As she continues to recover from a chest infection, Queen Camilla’s attendance wasn’t confirmed for either event.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(705x131:707x133):format(webp)/queen-camilla-kate-middleton-remembrance-111523-d60714540dec4ab8a8d0f5d01836dc04.jpg)
The Princess of Wales has attended the National Service of Remembrance every year since she married Prince William in 2011, including during her respective pregnancies with their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. Kate is known to watch from the Foreign Office balcony.
The Royal British Legion’s annual Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall, another staple in William and Kate’s calendar each year, honors fallen soldiers from the U.K. and the Commonwealth.
Princess Kate had her family around her in the Sept. 9 video announcing she had completed chemotherapy two months ago, unprecedented for its intimacy of their private life. In the accompanying audio, the royal said she would continue to prioritize her health but looked forward to making public appearances when possible.
“Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” Princess Kate said in part. “I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(798x238:800x240):format(webp)/kate-middleton-101024-ac978f5d88fd4ca8bde32075c9065428.jpg)
It emerged since then that the royal hoped to join her family at The Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, which falls the day before Veterans Day in the U.S. However, this does not signal a full return to work and no date has been set around that expectation.
As the Princess of Wales adjusted to a new rhythm after completing chemo, a source in her circle said she wouldn’t take on as much as she did before.
“She had a lovely summer and is very focused on her wellbeing. She is definitely going to be doing less,” the insider previously told PEOPLE.
Before her planned appearances at the Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Sunday, Princess Kate made a few unannounced appearances after completing chemo. On Oct. 2, the Princess of Wales surprised a teen photographer navigating cancer at Windsor Castle after an investiture ceremony, and joined Prince William, 42, on Oct. 10 in Southport to support the community grieving after three children were killed in a mass stabbing in July.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(2902x0:2904x2):format(webp)/kate-middleton-embed-1-a08875f3601c418cb7d24987a18b1eee.jpg)
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
The National Service of Remembrance has been key event on the royal family calendar for generations, where the sovereign ceremonially leads the nation in remembering those who died in war. King Charles, senior members of the royal family and government officials convene with current and former service personnel, including veterans of World Wars, for the solemn ceremony organized by the government.
It includes a two-minute silence, commemorative laying of poppy wreaths, short religious service, bugle call, the National Anthem and march past of veterans, which the Royal British Legion numbers at 10,000.
