On November 8, several members of the royal family attended the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

This year’s event marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and was hosted by Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.

The festival featured performances by Sir Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder, and Keala Settle, alongside stirring music from the Central Band of the RAF, the RAF Squadronaires, and the Band of HM Royal Marines.

Royal Family in Attendance

Among those present were King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

As the royals entered the hall to a fanfare of trumpets, the crowd rose to their feet in respect before the family took their seats in the royal box.

Kate, seated beside Prince George, wore a black Alessandra Rich dress with a white collar, accessorized with an HMS Glasgow brooch and earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her look was completed with a handmade silk poppy crafted by Izzy Ager of Lock & Co, a recent graduate of the Royal School of Needlework.

A “Mystery Man” Sparks Online Speculation

The royal family’s official Instagram account later shared several photos from the evening, one of which quickly drew attention online. In the picture, a man standing behind Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, appeared to be looking directly at the Princess of Wales — sparking widespread curiosity among royal fans.

Comments flooded social media as users tried to identify the man. “Who is the guy in the upper left making a face at Catherine?” one asked. Another echoed, “Who’s the guy behind the Duke of Gloucester?” while a third wondered, “Who’s the guy staring at Catherine?”

Some speculated he was a “bodyguard,” while others guessed, “The Princess of Wales’s private secretary.” Another commenter wrote, “Why does he have medals? He looks annoyed.”

The Man Revealed: Kate’s Private Secretary

The “mystery man” turned out to be Lieutenant Colonel Tom White — Kate Middleton’s private secretary.

Lt Col White first joined the royal household in 2020 as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Squire, a prestigious role he held until her passing in September 2022. He was notably the first Royal Marines commando ever to hold that position.

Following a public engagement he attended with the Princess of Wales in 2023, Lt Col White officially joined the household of the Prince and Princess of Wales. His appointment came after the departure of Kate’s long-serving private secretary, Hannah Cockburn-Logie, who left the role in October 2022 after two years of service.

The Role of a Private Secretary

Within the royal household, a private secretary operates much like a chief of staff, overseeing every aspect of a royal’s professional life — from planning engagements to preparing detailed briefings for official meetings. They also accompany royals during public appearances, staying close by to ensure everything runs smoothly and securely.

So, while his appearance in the royal box may have seemed mysterious to some, Lieutenant Colonel Tom White was simply doing what he does best — quietly ensuring the Princess of Wales’s evening went according to plan.