For the Princess of Wales, fashion often holds deep sentimental value alongside its elegance. Earlier this week, she honored the memory of a cherished family member in a quiet yet meaningful gesture.
On Monday, during the 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day, Princess Kate joined Prince William, Princess Anne, and Duchess Sophie for a poignant royal appearance—one of her first major engagements since completing chemotherapy last year.
Amid the formal occasion, Princess Kate wore a small but significant accessory: a gold brooch resembling the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm insignia with Air Force wings. The understated piece was a tribute to her late grandfather, Ronald Goldsmith, a former Royal Air Force fighter pilot.
Goldsmith served during the Second World War and passed away in 2003 at the age of 72 after an eight-year struggle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a degenerative neurological condition. Kate’s uncle, Gary Goldsmith, once reflected on his father’s battle, saying, “Dad was always so entertaining and full of life, but MSA robbed him both physically and emotionally. It was heartbreaking to watch.”
He added, “Even though he had been ill for eight years, it was a huge shock when he died… He never got to meet William or see the royal wedding, but he would have been thrilled.”
With the quiet elegance of the RAF brooch, Princess Kate paid heartfelt homage to her grandfather—a touching nod that spoke volumes without saying a word.
