On 15 October, people around the world light ‘Wave of Light’ candles to honour babies who have died. It is the second year that the Prince and Princess of Wales have contributed to the effort, and in 2024, Catherine penned a heartfelt message alongside a photograph of her candle. ‘Baby Loss Awareness Week is such an important moment to support those who have experienced the devastation of baby loss,’ she wrote. ‘Sending love, strength and hope to anyone affected. #WaveofLight’. The note was signed off with a C, to indicate that Catherine herself had written it.
Designed as a collaboration between Plum & Ashby, Tommy’s and author Elle Wright, the candles have been created especially for the Wave of Light project. The candle comes packaged with a ‘remembering card’, allowing the owner to write down and reflect upon ‘precious names, dates or words of love’ as they pay tribute.
In 2022, both Catherine and Prince William took to their official social media accounts to share a message of support and a list of resources for those who had suffered the tragedy of losing a baby.
The Princess of Wales, pictured in 2023, has been a long-time supporter of the charity Tommy’s, and on 15 October paid a touching tribute to those who have experienced miscarriages and stillbirths
WPA Pool/Getty Images
‘Taking a moment this Baby Loss Awareness Week to think about all those who’ve been affected by pregnancy and baby loss,’ wrote the couple on their Instagram stories, before directing followers to support services like Child Bereavement UK, the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, Sands Charity, and Tommy’s.
‘Please do reach out if you feel it could help you or someone you know,’ they wrote.
It comes as William and Catherine joined forces on a joint engagement in Northern Ireland on 14 October, where the pair visited a farm and a cider manufacturer. ‘She looks radiant,’ one royal watcher commented online, capturing the mood of fans. Indeed, even a passing glance at the photos shows the Princess of Wales lighting up as she toured Mallon Farm, which is spearheading the revival of flax growing for linen, in Cookstown. Later, the Princess of Wales could hardly keep the smile from her face as she and William got stuck into chores at the family-owned Long Meadow Cider.