Secret Vigil Kate Breaks Royal Rank

The duchess pays tribute to a murdered woman

- Judy Kean

Most people attending the London vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard paid no attention to the tall brunette woman in their midst, who laid two bunches of daffodils among the bouquets piled up around a band rotunda.

Wearing a dark green jacket, jeans and boots, she blended in with the crowd gathered in memory of the 33-year-old marketing executive who was abducted and killed while walking home on March 3.

After stopping for about five minutes to read the tributes to Sarah, it was only then that some of the people around her realised that it was Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Joining those at the memorial to Sarah in Clapham Common, near where she disappeared, was a surprising move for Kate. Royals don’t make a habit of “dropping in” to public events, especially not to a highly-charged gathering to mark a tragic crime that has become a major talking point throughout the UK.

Afterwards, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said Kate wanted to pay her respects to Sarah and her family. “She remembers what it felt like to walk around London at night before she got married.”

After graduating from university, where she met future husband Prince William, Kate, 39, worked for fashion company Jigsaw and lived in a flat in Chelsea with her sister Pippa. It wasn’t until she became engaged to William, 38, in November 2010 that she was given around-the-clock security. Unlike many other royals, who have no idea what it’s like to feel unsafe walking the streets, Kate can relate.