The Princess of Wales has paid a subtle tribute to both the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Kent, who passed away aged 92 last Thursday.

Kate, 43, joined her husband Prince William as he visited the National Federation of the Women's Institute (WI) in Sunningdale, Ascot, yesterday to mark the third anniversary of his grandmother's death.

For the occasion, the mother-of-three opted for a black, grey and white tartan dress from Alessandra Rich and warmly greeted members as her husband, dressed in a smart suit and tie, joked with the ladies about the amount of cake waiting for them. 

Her outfit proved to be a fitting choice as the Royal Family are in mourning for the Duchess, the wife of the late Queen's cousin, the Duke of Kent, who died peacefully at home, surrounded by her close family, late on Thursday.

The King approved a period of royal mourning until, and including, the day of the Duchess’s funeral, which will be September 16, and during this time royal family members will wear clothing which pays appropriate tribute.

Kate's dress, also likely a tribute to Queen Elizabeth on the anniversary of Her late Majesty's passing, included traditional mourning colours like black and white, while grey is thought to represent respect.

Meanwhile, the slight detail of purple in the outfit is thought to be associated with grief and healing. 

On Friday, William and Kate paid a personal tribute to the Duchess of Kent, saying the royal would be 'much missed' and described how she had 'worked tirelessly' in her life to help others.

The Princess of Wales (pictured on Monday) has paid a subtle tribute to both the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Kent, who passed away aged 92 last Thursday

In a statement signed 'W & C', the Prince and Princess of Wales said: 'Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas.

'The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music. She will be a much missed member of the family.'

Yesterday, the Prince of Wales said that he 'can't believe it has been three years' since the death of his grandmother as he paid tribute to the late Queen on the third anniversary of her death.

Joined by his wife the Princess of Wales, who was a surprise addition to the schedule, Prince William was speaking as he visited the WI;  just a 16-minute drive away from Windsor Castle, where the Duke of Sussex was understood to have visited his grandmother's grave on Monday.

Over tea and cake, William heard stories of the late Queen and shared some more recent memories of his own family life.

Asked if his children were back at school, William replied: 'Thankfully, yes!' Nina Derrick asked: 'Is Louis a bit of a handful?' to which William appeared to defend his youngest son, saying that Louis was 'a very good boy'.

He said: 'He's a character but he's a very good boy. He likes to wind his brother and sister up. '

When it was pointed out that George appeared to be the sensible one, the prince smiled and replied: 'when George is behind closed doors it's completely different. George just knows how to behave.;

Kate, 43, joined her husband Prince William (pictured together) as he visited the National Federation of the Women's Institute (WI) in Sunningdale, Ascot , yesterday to mark the third anniversary of his grandmother's death

The Duke and Duchess of Kent leaving Westminster Abbey after the wedding of the now Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011

Kate and Queen Elizabeth II watch a fashion show at De Montfort University, in Leicester, on March 8, 2012

He added, by way of explanation, that there was 'five years difference' between his two sons. 

The princess said that she and the children had been 'crafting in every corner of the house' over the summer holidays, and spoke to the women about her bee-keeping, and the importance of 'making and crafting' and 'community'.

Speaking to one group, William acknowledged that it was his grandmother's anniversary. 'I can't quite believe it has been three years already,' he said.

He said that the late Queen, who had been a member for more than 80 years, had 'loved' the WI.

Acknowledging his proximity to the Ascot racecourse which hosts Royal Ascot each year, he said: 'I think she would have loved a few more wins. She was very upset that she couldn't win a few more times.

'She used to have an iPad so that she could watch all the foals being born, so wherever she was in the country she could see. She was very dedicated.'

He added that he was 'swotting up on my racing knowledge. You're testing my limits.'

William spent time speaking to Sally Pellow, who showed the royal couple a picture taken in August 1961 of her husband's grandfather Hedley Pellow, who worked at the docks during the Second World War, meeting Queen Elizabeth II and a young Princess Anne and a young Prince Charles at Southampton docks.

Originally only William had planned to attend the event to mark his grandmother's passing, but sources said Catherine was keen to join her husband to commemorate and celebrate the life of the late Queen

The Princess of Wales has unexpectedly joined Prince William on an engagement to mark the third anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death

Kate, who sported a frock from Alessandra Rich, donned tartan print to the event as she joined her husband

Sally Pellow , 64, had some more recent family recollections to share, too, saying that her daughter had served the Princess of Wales in a French Connection shop in Reading and how, around five years ago, she bumped into a young Prince George in an interior design shop in the area. 

'I had popped in to pick up some wallpaper samples and Prince George had gone in with his granny, Carole Middleton' Mrs Pellow said. 'He was beautifully dressed and sitting at a desk eating bits of orange.'

Margot Gosney, 65, a retired professor of medicine at the Royal Berkshire hospital, recalled meeting the late Queen in 2006 when she came to the hospital.

Gosney said: 'She had had an accident the week before and had a cut on her leg so she was laughing that she was in a hospital.'

Gosney told William that she was also a trustee of the London Air Ambulance and he told her 'I miss it,' referring to his time as a helicopter pilot with the East Anglican Air Ambulance.

He said that there was 'an insane' amount of money needed to keep the air ambulances flying and that he was 'looking at plans' to bring the different air ambulance services together.

The prince said he was enjoying 'having a natter' with the subject turning to matters close to home, as the couple live a short drive from Sunningdale.

He said that he often went past the Datchet WI group and 'feeling very jealous' that they were inside having cake and tea and would often wave at him as he passed. He added: 'I said to Catherine we should cycle down there and stop for some cake.'

Kate appeared to be in good spirits as she and her husband chatted with the members of the WI 

Both William and Kate looked to be enjoying the spread of cakes available at the engagement 

Pictured: The Princess of Wales speaking to members during a visit to the National Federation of Women's Institute (WI) in Sunningdale

Catherine, 43, accompanied her husband on a sweet and moving visit in Sunningdale, Berkshire

At the start of the visit, Kate and William were welcomed to the small room where the WI meetings are held by Trish Kilgour, chair of the Berkshire federation of the WI.

She asked if the couple had been on the school run and William replied: 'Yes, got them off'.

'I remember those days – they're never easy,' Trish said as the couple were shown inside where the women were already seated round several tables with cups of tea and plates of cake.

Noting that he was the only man besides Trish's husband, David Kilgour, William said: 'We know our place!'

Shown to a table set out with several cakes, the Princess chose a slice of chocolate chip cookie cake while William helped himself to a chocolate brownie and a piece of orange and Campari cake before being introduced to the women who made them.

Kate said: 'We should have brought some for you!' and sat down to try hers which she said was 'delicious'.

William said the Campari cake had 'got a good punch to it, a good kick' and there was high praise for the brownie, saying: 'And I know my brownies.'

Kate said: 'William is very fussy about it.' He declared it to be a good recipe because it didn't contain nuts.

Kate looked to be in high spirits as she joined her husband, William, for the engagement

Kate looked to be in high spirits as she joined her husband for the visit to pay homage to Queen Elizabeth

The couple were paying tribute to the three-year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death

The couple were all smiles as they enjoyed hearing from members at the WI - an organisation close to Elizabeth's heart

'Never put nuts in a brownie,' he added emphatically, which prompted Kate to joke: 'I had to learn the hard way.'

The Princess of Wales was asked if she was a member of the WI and replied: 'No, but I should be!'

William asked if the organisation might consider him to join as an honorary male member but was told by Hilary Fraser 'No, not unless you can put on a skirt.'

Without hesitating, the prince replied: 'Well, for a chocolate brownie, Hilary, you never know what I'll do.'

William and Kate heard how the group provided an opportunity for women across Berkshire to get together, learn new skills and engage in community projects.

The prince said that while he was the 'least crafty' of his family, he had made sloe gin and damson gin. 'You love foraging,' Kate said to her husband and added: 'It's great for families.'

When the royal couple heard that the local WI had set about making 600 sets of scrubs and masks for health workers during the pandemic, Kilgour said: 'We've come a long way since the days of jam and Jerusalem.'

The reference to the title of a BBC sitcom about the WI by Jennifer Saunders about the jam-making days of the organisation when Jerusalem was its unofficial hymn seemed lost on William. William said he hadn't heard that before and admitted to 'a generational gap.'

The pair were very animated as they chatted with others over tea and cake - in a visit commemorating the late Queen

The WI is the largest women's organisation in the UK and was supported by the late Queen Elizabeth II who joined the organisation in 1943 and serving as President of the Sandringham branch from 2003 until her death in 2022.

In a speech to the WI In 2009 she said: 'In this time of change and uncertainty I think the W.I's traditional values of playing your part through education and public debate are just as important as ever.'

As an active member, her late majesty regularly attended their New Year meetings in January and hosted a reception at Sandringham House in 2022 for volunteer groups, pensioners and fellow members to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

William's outing comes as the Duke of Sussex returned to Britain for the first time in five months amid speculation over whether he will stage a reunion with King Charles.

William's brother touched down at Heathrow Airport yesterday morning, but has made the transatlantic trip on his own while Meghan stays in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet.

Harry's trip to the UK, which includes four days of official engagements, will be his longest since he and Meghan visited in 2022 when Queen Elizabeth II died.

It is understood he visited his late grandmother's grave at St George's Chapel, at Windsor Castle, moments after touching down as he marks the third anniversary of her death.