Honoring an icon. Kate Middleton and Prince William visited South Africa House in Trafalgar Square in London on Wednesday, Dec. 11, to pay their respects to former South African President Nelson Mandela.
A source tells Us Weekly the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 31, signed the condolence book for Mandela, who died on Dec. 5 at the age of 95. Middleton wore a black suit coat with a small polka dot print. She paired the outfit with black tights and black pumps, and wore her hair down straight.
The Duchess and her husband were attending the U.K. premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom on Dec. 5, when news broke of Mandela’s death. The following day, Buckingham Palace released a statement from Queen Elizabeth II sharing her condolences. “The Queen was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela last night. He worked tirelessly for the good of his country, and his legacy is the peaceful South Africa we see today,” the statement read. “Her Majesty remembers with great warmth her meetings with Mr Mandela and sends her sincere condolences to his family and the people of South Africa at this very sad time.”
Mandela will be laid to rest on Sunday, Dec. 15 in the South African village of Qunu, where he grew up. Prince William’s father, Prince Charles, will be attending according to a Dec. 8 statement from Buckingham Palace: “Her Majesty The Queen will be formally represented at the funeral of Nelson Mandela by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on Sunday 15th December in Qunu, South Africa.”
